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Lesson 3 of 5
  • Year 10

Sentience and animal consciousness

I can explain how philosophers and scientists use evidence to argue for different positions about conciousness in animals.

Lesson 3 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10

Sentience and animal consciousness

I can explain how philosophers and scientists use evidence to argue for different positions about conciousness in animals.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There is much deabte amongst scientists as to whether animals have conciousness.
  2. The debate centres on the defintion of conciousness and the evidence for it.
  3. Some scientists and philosophers prefer the term sentience.
  4. Different understandings lead to different attitudes towards animals.

Keywords

  • Awareness - noticing or knowing something is happening

  • Consciousness - the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, thoughts and surroundings

  • Sentience - the capacity to experience pain or pleasure

  • Suffering - the experience of pain or distress

Common misconception

Sentience and consciousness mean the same thing.

Sentience refers to the ability to feel pain or pleasure, but consciousness is broader; it can include awareness, self-reflection and thought.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Sentience and animal consciousness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to use the terms consciousness and sentience in discussions about how animals should be treated.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Descartes' evil demon is a thought , not a real creature.

Correct Answer: experiment, Experiment

Q2.
In Hilary Putnam’s ‘brain in a vat’ experiment, the brain receives experiences through:

Dreams
Correct answer: Wires and computers
Emotions

Q3.
Descartes argued that thinking proves a person’s...

Correct Answer: existence, Existence

Q4.
Which philosopher is most associated with dualism?

David Hume
JJC Smart
Correct answer: René Descartes

Q5.
According to physicalism, mental states are states.

Correct Answer: brain, Brain

Assessment exit quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:Awareness,noticing or knowing something is happening

noticing or knowing something is happening

Correct Answer:Consciousness,the state of being aware

the state of being aware

Correct Answer:Sentience,the capacity to experience pain or pleasure

the capacity to experience pain or pleasure

Correct Answer:Suffering,the experience of pain or distress

the experience of pain or distress

Q2.
Some people say animal behaviour shows consciousness; others say it is just...

Correct Answer: instinct, Instinct

Q3.
Which animals are often used as examples of advanced cognition?

Frogs and worms
Caterpillars and moths
Correct answer: Primates, dolphins, crows, and elephants

Q4.
Sentience provides a moral basis for concerns.

Correct Answer: welfare, Welfare

Q5.
Peter Singer’s view leads to an ethical focus on:

Correct answer: Reducing suffering for all sentient beings
Increasing human dominance
Ignoring animal pain