2023 Whitehead Lecture Two: Peter Godfrey-Smith (University of Sydney)

57th annual Whitehead Lectures
Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith
University of Sydney
Limits of Sentience, Boundaries of Consideration
April 13-14, 2023
Harvard University
Abstract
Work in several fields has made it appear likely that sentience, or subjective experience, is present in many more animals than has often been supposed. The first lecture, “Limits of Sentience,” looks at this evidence and asks how far the rethinking might extend. To plants? All life? Computer systems? The second lecture, “Boundaries of Consideration,” will look at the ethical side of these issues. How might we reasonably set the boundaries of ethical concern, and what status might such boundaries have?