Concept of Welfare

Question 1

What is animal welfare?

Answer 1

the state of wellbeing brought about b y meeting the physical, environmental, nutritional, behavioural and social needs of the animal.

Question 2

What is Extrinsic Value?

Answer 2

An animals instrumental value

Question 3

What is Intrinsic value?

Answer 3

Based on perceived sentience and emotional capabilities.
(Level of empathy determines moral obligation)

Question 4

What is Sentience?

Answer 4

The capacity to -
- be consciously aware of the environment
- capable of cognitive processing
- experience emotions and feelings

Question 5

How does consciousness determine sentience?

Answer 5

• perception of the external world
• perception of self

Question 6

What is the Integrated Information Theory?

Answer 6

Proposes a formal measure of the quantity of ‘integrated information’ in any physical system. Consciousness as a continuous variable

Question 7

What is metacognition?

Answer 7

perception of self

Question 8

How can metacognition be explored?

Answer 8

• Exploratory and social behaviour observe
• Contingency behaviour to test reaction against visual stimulus
• self directed behaviour (animal investigates itself using a mirror)

Question 9

What is the issue with determining sentience with cognitive processing?

Answer 9

Difficult to draw a line between animals

Question 10

What are the two approaches to measuring welfare?

Answer 10

• Subjective experience (and animals feelings determine its welfare)
• Biological function (normal physiology and behaviour)