If insects have phenomenal consciousness, could they suffer?

Abstract

Klein & Barron's (K & B's) suggestion that insects have the capacity f or phenomenal consciousness is a refreshing and challenging departure from the cautious and agnostic stance that is taken by many researchers when considering this possibility. It is impossible to falsify the sceptic's view that neural and behavioural parallels between humans and insects need not imply eithe r similar conscious experience o r even any phenomenal consciousness i n insects at all . But if K & B are right , it is important to consider the possible contents of insect consciousness. Here we discuss whether affective consciousness, with its implications for potential suffe ring, might also be part of the simulated perceptual conscious world that K & B propose.