Sentience and Moral Status: Comparative Study on Antonio Damasio's Feeling and Nicholas Humphrey's Sentience

Abstract

This paper examines the neurobiology of sentience through a comparative analysis of theories proposed by Antonio Damasio and Nicholas Humphrey. Damasio's somatic marker hypothesis emphasizes the role of emotions and feelings in decision-making and consciousness, arguing that the brain's mapping of bodily states forms the basis of subjective experiences. Humphrey, conversely, approaches sentience from an evolutionary perspective, proposing that it evolved to enhance social cognition and cooperation. Both theories stress the importance of central nervous system development in the emergence of sentience, but differ in their views on its evolutionary timing and primary functions. We explore the potential applications of these theories in neuroethics and argue for continued research into sentience, emphasizing its potential impact on ethical and legal frameworks. We call for an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and ethics.