About Sentience institute
Sentience Institute: Pioneering Research for a Better Future
Sentience Institute is an interdisciplinary think tank that is dedicated to researching long-term social and technological change, with a particular focus on moral circle expansion. The institute was founded in 2017 by Jacy Reese Anthis, who serves as its Executive Director. Since then, Sentience Institute has become one of the leading organizations in the field of animal advocacy and effective altruism.
The mission of Sentience Institute is to create a better future for all sentient beings by advancing our understanding of how social and technological change can be harnessed to promote their well-being. The institute's work is grounded in the belief that all sentient beings have inherent value and deserve moral consideration. This includes not only humans but also animals, artificial intelligences, and other entities that are capable of experiencing pleasure or pain.
One of the key areas of research at Sentience Institute is moral circle expansion. This refers to the process by which we extend our moral concern beyond our own species or group to include other sentient beings. Moral circle expansion has been identified as a crucial factor in promoting animal welfare, reducing suffering, and creating a more just society.
To achieve its goals, Sentience Institute employs a range of research methods including literature reviews, surveys, interviews with experts and stakeholders, data analysis, and experimental studies. The institute's research findings are disseminated through academic publications as well as popular media outlets such as Vox.com.
In addition to its research activities, Sentience Institute also engages in advocacy work aimed at promoting policies that advance animal welfare and reduce suffering. This includes supporting legislative initiatives such as bans on factory farming practices or funding for alternative protein research.
Sentience Institute has received widespread recognition for its groundbreaking work on animal advocacy issues. Its staff members have been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times , BBC News , NPR , Forbes , among others . In 2020, Sentience Institute was awarded a grant from the Open Philanthropy Project to support its research on moral circle expansion.
Overall, Sentience Institute is a pioneering organization that is at the forefront of efforts to create a more just and compassionate world. Its work has the potential to transform our understanding of what it means to be ethical and responsible members of society, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.