Invertebrate Sentience
Discussions of animal welfare have traditionally focused on vertebrate species. However, advances in the science of animal minds increasingly suggest that invertebrate species may be capable of experiencing pain, pleasure and other affective states. These findings raise important ethical and policy questions, given the vast numbers of invertebrates affected by human activities, including farming.
This research priority builds on earlier work developed through the Foundations of Animal Sentience (ASENT) project and Jonathan Birch's book The Edge of Sentience which argues for a precautionary approach to recognising sentience across species.
Our current work focuses on the development of an academic book on invertebrate sentience. This will bring together insights from scientists, philosophers, policymakers and industry to provide an authoritative foundation for future debate, research and decision‑making.
Additional forthcoming work includes a policy-relevant report on insect sentience.
Broader contributions include Professor Jonathan Birch's work on cross-cultural and non‑Western perspectives on animal ethics, including questions about insects, ahimsa and moral concern for sentient beings.
Further information
Principal Investigator: Professor Jonathan Birch
Researcher: Eva Read
Researcher: Matilda Gibbons
Enquiries can be directed to individual researchers or to the shared mailbox: philosophy.sentience@lse.ac.uk
- Journal of Practical Ethics target article (forthcoming): "Ethics for a large sentient world: Insects, ahimsa, and Gandhi’s progressive ahimsaism".
In addition to core research projects, our staff are involved in externally commissioned work through LSE Consulting, focused on policy‑relevant understanding of insect sentience. Previous notable pieces include the Review of the Evidence of Sentience in Cephalopod Molluscs and Decapod Crustaceans which influenced animal welfare law in the UK.