• [object Object]@lemmy.world
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    6 hours ago

    To quote Wikipedia:

    Sentience is the ability to experience feelings and sensations. It may not necessarily imply higher cognitive functions such as awareness, reasoning, or complex thought processes.

    So it just distinguishes animals of some neural complexity from primitive organisms. E.g. iirc jellyfish might not feel pain, and single-celled organisms most probably don’t.

    Regarding sapience, many animals show some degree of intelligence, but we’re yet to see them reflecting on their own nature and experience. This I guess is what meant by sapience in the context of man vs other animals.