We invite you on December 14th, at 11a.m, to a lecture by Jeff Sebo (New York University) followed by the commentaries of Catia Faria (UCM), Eze Paez (UPF), Daniela R. Waldhorn (Rethink Priorities) and Leire Morrás (UPF)

The lecture is called Insects, AI Systems, and The Moral Circle and it will take place in Room 40047 - Campus Ciutadella, UPF.

Abstract provided by the author: In this talk I argue that humanity should expand our moral circle — that is, our conception of which beings morally matter for their own sakes — much farther and faster than many philosophers assume, for two related reasons. First, we should be open to the possibility that a vast number of beings can be sentient or otherwise morally significant, including insects and, eventually, AI systems, and we should extend at least some moral consideration to these beings accordingly. Second, we should be open to the possibility that our actions can affect a vast number of beings, including beings who are far away in space and time, and we should extend at least some moral consideration to these beings accordingly as well. The upshot is that we should extend at least some moral consideration to septillions of beings, including and especially future nonhumans, with revisionary implications for human exceptionalism.

Bio: Jeff Sebo, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy, and Law, and Director of the Animal Studies M.A. Program at New York University. He is the author of Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves, and co-author of Chimpanzee Rights, and Food, Animals, and the Environment.