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© Oxford University Press 2008. All rights reserved. The term 'beast machines' denies that non-human animals have souls, minds, or, in contemporary language, 'consciousness'. This view fuelled a debate, which is often said to relate to 'the question of animal consciousness', but naturally it comprises many questions. For example: What, in this context, is meant by 'consciousness'? Why is the question of animal consciousness a focus of such broad interest? Can it be addressed through scientific studies of animal behaviour? What has been shown by scientific studies that appear to address the question of animal consciousness? This chapter examines these questions, focusing on the claim that animal consciousness is subject to scientific investigation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199233151.003.0009

Type

Chapter

Book title

Frontiers of Consciousness: Chichele Lectures

Publication Date

22/03/2012