Animal welfare is a significant concern that focuses on the well-being of non-human animals. It encompasses various aspects, including their health, behavior, living conditions, and the impact of human activities on their welfare and survival. While standards of animal welfare differ across contexts, they are often debated by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics.
Animal welfare science plays a crucial role in assessing and measuring animal welfare. Scientists use a range of indicators such as longevity, disease prevalence, immune system function, behavior, physiology, and reproduction. However, there is ongoing debate about which measures best reflect the overall well-being of animals.
Respecting animal welfare is often rooted in the belief that animals are sentient beings, capable of experiencing pleasure, pain, and emotions. As a result, it is argued that humans have a responsibility to consider their welfare and minimize their suffering, particularly when animals are under human care. This includes topics such as the treatment of animals in food production, their use in scientific research, their housing conditions in captivity (such as pets, zoos, farms, circuses), and the conservation of wild species.
There are two contrasting perspectives on animal welfare that generate criticism. One viewpoint, held by some historical thinkers, asserts that humans have no obligations towards animals whatsoever. Conversely, the animal rights position argues that animals should not be treated as property, and any use of animals by humans is morally unacceptable. Therefore, proponents of animal rights argue that a focus on animal welfare may actually perpetuate and justify the exploitation of animals. Consequently, some consider animal welfare and animal rights as opposing positions, while others view advancements in animal welfare as incremental steps towards animal rights.
While the concept of consciousness in non-human animals remains a topic of philosophical and scientific debate, the prevailing view among modern neuroscientists is that animals do possess consciousness. However, the definition and understanding of consciousness, even in humans, pose philosophical challenges that may never be entirely resolved. A recent study conducted with rhesus monkeys managed to address some of the difficulties in empirically testing consciousness. The researchers designed experiments that predicted opposite behavioral outcomes for consciously and non-consciously perceived stimuli. Remarkably, the monkeys’ behaviors exhibited precisely these contrasting patterns, mirroring the responses observed in aware and unaware humans tested in the study.
Overall, the concept of animal welfare encompasses multidimensional considerations, with ongoing discussions and debates on how to best assess and address the well-being of non-human animals.