New article in The Conversation on animal cognition and ethics Comparative Minds researcher Miquel Llorente has published a new article in The Conversation Spain exploring how recognizing animals as thinking and feeling beings challenges long-standing scientific and ethical assumptions. 27 de gener 2026 Publicacions
In the article, “If animals feel and think, how does that change things?”, Dr. Llorente reviews key contributions from primatology and comparative psychology that have dismantled the idea of animals as mere automatons. Research over recent decades shows that many species are capable of planning, experiencing grief, forming complex social relationships, and transmitting cultural knowledge. The piece argues that acknowledging animals’ rich mental and emotional lives has profound ethical implications. Moving beyond a model focused solely on physical care, Llorente highlights the need to promote meaningful psychological experiences, autonomy, and choice in our interactions with non-human animals. The article invites reflection on how this growing body of scientific evidence should inform animal welfare practices, conservation policies, and legal frameworks. 👉 Read the full article in The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/si-los-animales-sienten-y-piensan-como-cambia-eso-las-cosas-266906