Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness

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Created	July 7, 2012
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Repealed
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The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness is a historic statement issued by a group of neuroscientists, neurologists, and other experts in cognitive science during the "Consciousness in Human and non-Human Animals" conference at the University of Cambridge on July 7, 2012. It proclaims the scientific consensus that non-human animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, possess consciousness and are aware to the degree that humans are.

Background

The declaration was organized and hosted by the newly formed Cambridge Center for the Study of Existential Risk. Prominent scientists such as Stephen Hawking and Martin Rees gave opening remarks about the importance of recognizing consciousness beyond humans. The main purpose of the declaration was to highlight the implications of advanced cognitive and emotional capacities in animals which had been underappreciated in animal welfare legislation.

Content

The declaration outlines several key points about animal consciousness:

• The field of neuroscience has rapidly advanced to a point where the physiological substrates of conscious experience can be observed in non-human animals.
• Animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, possess neurological substrates complex enough to support conscious experiences.
• Humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness.
• Non-human animals, including all birds and mammals, have neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors.

Impact

The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness has had a significant impact on the fields of ethology, animal welfare, and the philosophy of mind. It has prompted a reevaluation of the ethical treatment of animals and bolstered arguments for extending greater welfare protections to non-human species.

Criticism

While widely accepted and celebrated in various scientific and ethical circles, the declaration has also faced criticism. Some argue that the declaration was premature, as the understanding of consciousness is still incomplete and scientifically contentious. Others believe that it does not go far enough in promoting the necessary changes in laws to reflect the findings on animal consciousness.

See also

• Animal cognition
• Animal rights
• Neuroethics
• Philosophy of mind