Sentience define1/5/2023 ![]() ![]() We will then see how these same assessment processes can be affected by the animal’s emotional state. We will see that emotions are triggered by cognitive processes that the animal carries out to assess the situation with which it is faced. Then, based on my research on sheep inspired by cognitive psychology, we will examine the close relationship between emotions and cognition. I would first like to recall the difficulties and reticence that for many years have dampened scientific analysis of the subjectivity and intentionality of animals. ![]() This chapter aims to show that it is possible to have a scientific approach to animal sentience to better understand their welfare, and therefore offer them greater respect. This is why there is a need to further scientific exploration of animal’s emotional sensitivity in order to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders and give weight to initiatives designed to ensure their welfare. Nevertheless, applying terms usually employed to describe emotive states in humans to animals is not unanimously accepted in our societies due to its anthropomorphic nature. As Duncan stresses (2002), an animal’s welfare is all to do with its emotional experience and not simply the primary needs that form the basis for its emotional experience. Defining animals as sentient beings means accepting that they are capable of feeling emotions. Emotions therefore play a key role in the definition of welfare: the welfare of an individual is the result of an absence of prolonged negative emotions such as fear, pain or frustration and the presence of positive emotions such as joy or pleasure (Fraser and Duncan, 1998). This state can vary depending on the animal’s perception of a given situation. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recently proposed an updated definition of animal welfare (2018): the welfare of an animal is its positive mental and physical state linked to the fulfilment of its physiological and behavioural needs in addition to its expectations. Nevertheless, most authors agree on the principle that welfare is both a state of physical health, represented by the absence of injury or illness, and of mental health, covering the absence of prolonged negative emotions and the search for positive emotions (Dawkins, 1980 Duncan, 1993). Unlike most concepts developed in biology, there is no unanimously recognised definition of welfare. The expression « bien-être animal » was introduced in France in the 1980s from the English word « welfare » which covers both the well-being of an individual (its health, comfort, etc.) and its protection, in other words, the measures defined by legislation to guarantee its welfare. Animal protection now concerns all animals whose lives are dependent on humans (pets, laboratory animals, farm animals, zoo animals, etc.). #Sentience define codeAnimals have acquired a legal status as sentient beings in both European law (Treaty of Lisbon, 2007) and French law (« sensibilité de l’animal » enshrined in the French Civil Code via Law No. The question of animal sentience is now at the heart of societal concerns. IntroductionĪnimal welfare has become one of the major issues of our modern civilisation due to the evolution of moral questions, the intensive use of animals for testing and production, and the omnipresence of pets. (Eds), Animal Welfare: From Science to Law, 2019, pp.21-31. To cite this article (suggested): Boissy A., « How to access animal sentience? The close relationship between emotions and cognition », In: Hild S. ![]() INRA, Centre-Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France ![]()
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