Jeff Sebo
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, Director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy, and Co-Director of the Wild Animal Welfare Program, New York University. jeffsebo.net
Pinned
Jeff Sebo
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
· Nov 17
My next book, The Moral Circle, is available for preorder!
This book examines the moral status of insects, AI systems, and many other nonhumans.
The book is out January 28 2025, in both print and audio. 1/
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
This book examines the moral status of insects, AI systems, and many other nonhumans.
The book is out January 28 2025, in both print and audio. 1/
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy is thrilled to be hosting an online talk with legal scholar Andy Stawasz about why and how to include animal welfare in cost-benefit analyses. February 11, noon ET. Join us!
nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Animals in Cost-Benefit Analysis. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Federal agencies’ cost-benefit analyses do not capture animals’ interests. This omission matters. Cost-benefit analysis drives many regulatory decisions that substantially affect many billions of anim...
nyu.zoom.us
January 26, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy is thrilled to be hosting an online talk with legal scholar Andy Stawasz about why and how to include animal welfare in cost-benefit analyses. February 11, noon ET. Join us!
nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On the Clearer Thinking Podcast, Spencer Greenberg and I discuss farmed animal welfare, wild animal welfare, AI welfare, and a variety of related issues.
Please give it a listen if you have interest, and please share with others who might!
podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/?ep=...
Please give it a listen if you have interest, and please share with others who might!
podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/?ep=...
podcast.clearerthinking.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:09 PM
On the Clearer Thinking Podcast, Spencer Greenberg and I discuss farmed animal welfare, wild animal welfare, AI welfare, and a variety of related issues.
Please give it a listen if you have interest, and please share with others who might!
podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/?ep=...
Please give it a listen if you have interest, and please share with others who might!
podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/?ep=...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
What is consciousness & who has it? Complex & evolving field…The author suggests “we should adopt different assumptions about the distribution of consciousness for different purposes in science.” Also In ethics. But “a default assumption of consciousness may often be best for both science & ethics.”
New article! Should we assume entities have or lack consciousness until evidence establishes otherwise? I argue for accepting different assumptions for different purposes, including (1) scientific theory, (2) scientific practice, (3) ethical theory, and (4) ethical practice.
January 12, 2026 at 2:51 PM
What is consciousness & who has it? Complex & evolving field…The author suggests “we should adopt different assumptions about the distribution of consciousness for different purposes in science.” Also In ethics. But “a default assumption of consciousness may often be best for both science & ethics.”
Announcing the NYU Food Impact Program! A new initiative that will examine the impacts of food systems and pathways towards reform. Housed within the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection and supported by a $3.75m donation for the first five years.
www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
www.nyu.edu
January 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Announcing the NYU Food Impact Program! A new initiative that will examine the impacts of food systems and pathways towards reform. Housed within the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection and supported by a $3.75m donation for the first five years.
www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
New article! Should we assume entities have or lack consciousness until evidence establishes otherwise? I argue for accepting different assumptions for different purposes, including (1) scientific theory, (2) scientific practice, (3) ethical theory, and (4) ethical practice.
January 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
New article! Should we assume entities have or lack consciousness until evidence establishes otherwise? I argue for accepting different assumptions for different purposes, including (1) scientific theory, (2) scientific practice, (3) ethical theory, and (4) ethical practice.
Please join the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy on January 23 at 12pm ET for an event with the Rethink Priorities AI Cognition Initiative!
The event will introduce the Digital Consciousness Model—a probabilistic framework for assessing evidence for AI consciousness.
The event will introduce the Digital Consciousness Model—a probabilistic framework for assessing evidence for AI consciousness.
January 5, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Please join the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy on January 23 at 12pm ET for an event with the Rethink Priorities AI Cognition Initiative!
The event will introduce the Digital Consciousness Model—a probabilistic framework for assessing evidence for AI consciousness.
The event will introduce the Digital Consciousness Model—a probabilistic framework for assessing evidence for AI consciousness.
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
In a new paper, @jeffsebo.bsky.social and Toni Sims argue that insect research needs ethical oversight. Their article covers moral reasoning behind their argument and initial steps forward—including developing policies and methods for assessing welfare risks.
Full paper here:
Full paper here:
(PDF) Ethical Oversight for Insect ResearchNadzór etyczny nad badaniami nad owadamiЭтический надзор за исследованиями насекомых
PDF | In this article, we present a high-level argument for ethical oversight for insect research. There is a realistic possibility that insects are... | Find, read and cite all the research you need…
bit.ly
December 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In a new paper, @jeffsebo.bsky.social and Toni Sims argue that insect research needs ethical oversight. Their article covers moral reasoning behind their argument and initial steps forward—including developing policies and methods for assessing welfare risks.
Full paper here:
Full paper here:
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Thank you @nytimes.com Magazine for including bonobo Kanzi in your remembrance of artists and innovators who died in 2025. I expected Jane Goodall, of course, but delighted to see you embrace a #multispecies memorial. #primates #Kanzi #JaneGoodall #anthropology #death #deathstudies
The Lives They Lived (Gift Article)
Remembering some of the artists, innovators and thinkers we lost in the past year.
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Thank you @nytimes.com Magazine for including bonobo Kanzi in your remembrance of artists and innovators who died in 2025. I expected Jane Goodall, of course, but delighted to see you embrace a #multispecies memorial. #primates #Kanzi #JaneGoodall #anthropology #death #deathstudies
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
5/ The Moral Circle, by @jeffsebo.bsky.social . How do we decide what we should care about? Sebo argues that we should extend our moral circle wider than we presently do. Readable and impassioned, though I didn't agree with everything. www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
The Moral Circle: Who Matters, What Matters, and Why
A philosopher calls for a revolution in ethics, suggest…
www.goodreads.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
5/ The Moral Circle, by @jeffsebo.bsky.social . How do we decide what we should care about? Sebo argues that we should extend our moral circle wider than we presently do. Readable and impassioned, though I didn't agree with everything. www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
i have a quote in this @wired.com story on the ethics of getting your chatbot high. (i love my job.)
www.wired.com/story/people...
www.wired.com/story/people...
People Are Paying to Get Their Chatbots High on ‘Drugs’
An online marketplace is selling code modules that simulate the effects of cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ayahuasca, and alcohol when they are uploaded to ChatGPT.
www.wired.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
i have a quote in this @wired.com story on the ethics of getting your chatbot high. (i love my job.)
www.wired.com/story/people...
www.wired.com/story/people...
I spoke with Andrew Phipps from Empathy Unbound about animal and AI welfare - check it out if you have interest!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF5W...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF5W...
Exploring Sentience, AI Ethics, and a Just Future with Jeff Sebo
YouTube video by Andrew Phipps
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I spoke with Andrew Phipps from Empathy Unbound about animal and AI welfare - check it out if you have interest!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF5W...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF5W...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
In case anyone has missed it, here is a recording of the last launch of Animals and the Constitution. Really enjoyed the discussion with @jeffsebo.bsky.social!
Watch Dr @raffaelfasel.bsky.social (cam.ac.uk) and Dr John Adenitire (qmul.bsky.social) discuss their book "Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism" with Dr Jeff Sebo (nyu.edu) and hosted by the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy.
December 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
In case anyone has missed it, here is a recording of the last launch of Animals and the Constitution. Really enjoyed the discussion with @jeffsebo.bsky.social!
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
This is going to be increasingly relevant as a field
Do you work on animal or AI welfare? Would you like to meet other people who work on these topics and discuss ideas for coordination and collaboration? Please express interest in attending the 2026 Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit April 10-11 at NYU!
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This is going to be increasingly relevant as a field
Do you work on animal or AI welfare? Would you like to meet other people who work on these topics and discuss ideas for coordination and collaboration? Please express interest in attending the 2026 Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit April 10-11 at NYU!
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
December 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Do you work on animal or AI welfare? Would you like to meet other people who work on these topics and discuss ideas for coordination and collaboration? Please express interest in attending the 2026 Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit April 10-11 at NYU!
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/mind...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
1/ I'm thrilled to share "Integrating Animal Health and Welfare into the 2030 Agenda and Beyond," a major new report from Stockholm Environment Institute and the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection.
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1/ I'm thrilled to share "Integrating Animal Health and Welfare into the 2030 Agenda and Beyond," a major new report from Stockholm Environment Institute and the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection.
1/ I'm thrilled to share "Integrating Animal Health and Welfare into the 2030 Agenda and Beyond," a major new report from Stockholm Environment Institute and the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection.
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1/ I'm thrilled to share "Integrating Animal Health and Welfare into the 2030 Agenda and Beyond," a major new report from Stockholm Environment Institute and the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection.
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Here is the video of Jeff Sebo's talk on "The Moral Circle"––part of the Waide Center for Applied Ethics Seminar Series at Fairfield University | www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA0z... | @jeffsebo.bsky.social |
The Moral Circle | Dolan School of Business
YouTube video by Fairfield University
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Here is the video of Jeff Sebo's talk on "The Moral Circle"––part of the Waide Center for Applied Ethics Seminar Series at Fairfield University | www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA0z... | @jeffsebo.bsky.social |
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
I wrote about the race to stop octopus farming before it starts. This issue has been covered a fair amount, so I wanted to look at one under-covered aspect of it -- why do so many people who study octopuses, and are fascinated by them, support farming them?
December 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I wrote about the race to stop octopus farming before it starts. This issue has been covered a fair amount, so I wanted to look at one under-covered aspect of it -- why do so many people who study octopuses, and are fascinated by them, support farming them?
Peter did an excellent job on this interview! And props to Ronny Chieng for single-handedly introducing shrimp welfare *and* AI safety to a broad audience :)
It was amazing to get to sit down with Ronny Chieng and talk about AGI with The Daily Show! www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcPt...
Ronny Chieng Investigates the Promises of AI, the Most Expensive Circle Jerk Ever | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Peter did an excellent job on this interview! And props to Ronny Chieng for single-handedly introducing shrimp welfare *and* AI safety to a broad audience :)
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
So great to see philosophy friend and @wwnorton.com -mate @jeffsebo.bsky.social on the list of 2025 best books from the New Yorker!
As 2025 comes to an end, our editors and critics have selected a dozen essential reads in nonfiction and a dozen, too, in fiction and poetry. See the full list: newyorkermag.visitlink.me/_3K0Ek...
December 3, 2025 at 9:24 PM
So great to see philosophy friend and @wwnorton.com -mate @jeffsebo.bsky.social on the list of 2025 best books from the New Yorker!
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
the moral circle is now available in paperback for the low price of $12! an excellent holiday gift for all the near-future insect and AI welfare advocates in your life :)
December 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
the moral circle is now available in paperback for the low price of $12! an excellent holiday gift for all the near-future insect and AI welfare advocates in your life :)
the moral circle is now available in paperback for the low price of $12! an excellent holiday gift for all the near-future insect and AI welfare advocates in your life :)
December 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
the moral circle is now available in paperback for the low price of $12! an excellent holiday gift for all the near-future insect and AI welfare advocates in your life :)
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
The 4th Helsinki #AnimalLaw Conference will be June 9–10 at @helsinki.fi, with a PhD workshop on June 8.
Submit abstracts for the conference or the workshop by Jan 31 ➡ www.helsinki.fi/en/researchg...
Keynote speakers include @jeffsebo.bsky.social & @annepetersmpil.bsky.social.
Submit abstracts for the conference or the workshop by Jan 31 ➡ www.helsinki.fi/en/researchg...
Keynote speakers include @jeffsebo.bsky.social & @annepetersmpil.bsky.social.
Helsinki Animal Law Conference 2026: “Reimagining Justice Across Species” | Animal Law Centre | University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki, Finland June 8-10, 2026
www.helsinki.fi
December 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The 4th Helsinki #AnimalLaw Conference will be June 9–10 at @helsinki.fi, with a PhD workshop on June 8.
Submit abstracts for the conference or the workshop by Jan 31 ➡ www.helsinki.fi/en/researchg...
Keynote speakers include @jeffsebo.bsky.social & @annepetersmpil.bsky.social.
Submit abstracts for the conference or the workshop by Jan 31 ➡ www.helsinki.fi/en/researchg...
Keynote speakers include @jeffsebo.bsky.social & @annepetersmpil.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Fascinating exploration of how to make evidence-based decisions about allocating time and resources to invertebrate welfare
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
If we’re unsure about an animal’s feelings, should we assume they don’t feel pain, or that they do? Moral concern often centres on sentient beings, but it can extend further. The challenge is to build and sustain policies that reflect both our compassion and our limitations
An ant is drowning: here’s how to decide if you should save it | Aeon Essays
Should we simply assume that all animals can feel pain and are of moral concern? Or is that taking things too far?
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Fascinating exploration of how to make evidence-based decisions about allocating time and resources to invertebrate welfare
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
@jeffsebo.bsky.social