Suffering without subjectivity.

This paper argues that it is possible for suffering to occur in the absence of phenomenal consciousness - in the absence of a certain sort of experientialsubjectivity, that is. (‘‘Phenomenal’’ consciousness is the property that some mental states possess, when it islikesomething to undergo them, or when they have subjectivefeels, or possessqualia.) So even if theories of phenomenal consciousness that would withhold such consciousness from most species of non-human animal are correct, this needn’t mean that those animals don’t suffer, and aren’t appropriate objects of sympathy and concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]