My project reflects upon our body's impermanence and our efforts to balance the enormity of the concept of mortality with living every day. It investigates the condition of being that one cannot permit oneself to know too often, that is, the condition of, inhabiting a body through which one engages meaningfully with the world as a conscious being, but aware that this body will die. Within this framework, I investigate concepts of consciousness, sentience, and impermanence. These are concepts that are not clearly delineated in experience. There is a need to grasp them by means of other concepts that are understood in clearer terms. Using the quotidian experiences of food preparation, eating and the domestic as metaphorical tools, I delve into these themes. As I worked with these ideas the wider possibilities, both material and conceptual became evident. I expanded the initial medium of food to encompass personal objects and daily bodily processes in my attempt to probe complicated feelings about the impermanence of my own body. The project matured into a closer examination of what could be read as signs in every day life, of my body's vulnerability to death. The specific areas of focus are: Skin, Reanimation of the inanimate, Mouth, Concepts of the internal, Organs, Offal, Transmogrification, Organic destiny. Beginning with the skin that we are encased in, I used my body as an armature to produce a facsimile of my own hollowed-out empty skin. In Reanimation of the inanimate, I explore the continuum from preserved food to fermented food investigating the development from food as organic material whose life had passed to food as organic material in which change is an indicator of ongoing life. In the section titled Mouth, I consider the concept of exploring the world with one's mouth and the notion of anti-food. Introduced in Concepts of the internal are three investigations of the internal human body: anatomical illustrations from the sixteenth century, a cinematic portrayal from 1966 that has included in its subtext a spiritual journey, and a current project in which the internal human body is seen as purely scientific data. In Organs I investigate the idea of ingesting 'properties of character' that can be culturally associated with internal organs and the possibility that such characteristics could permeate the person ingesting them. In the section titled Offal, I propose that the polarity of life and death inherent in food is most evident when eating a meal of offal. In Transmogrificaation, I consider the conundrum of my internal organs, that is, they are mine in fact they are 'me' and at the same time they are foreign to me. In this section, I also investigate the concept of my body as a conduit with the ability to transport and transform matter. Finally, in Organic destiny I posit the notion that as bodies we are an ongoing process, an accumulation of matter built up over time and that we are small participants in a much bigger phenomenon.

This thesis examines the epistemological and metaphysical aspects of consciousness or sentience, and how they relate to standards of scientific practice. Historically, orthodox science has denied that there are any real problems of sentience because there is no scientific evidence to support claims regarding its nature and existence. In recent years, however, new approaches to sentience have entered into scientific debate that can be classified by metaphysical frameworks that vary in their conceptions of scientific evidence. In this thesis, four such frameworks are considered and compared: Ordinary Materialism, Property Dualism, Type-F Monism and Phenomenal Representationalism. Many sentience theorists adopt an Ordinary Materialist framework that conceives of scientific observation as the interaction of our physical sensory apparatus with the surrounding physical world. Sentience-friendly theories in this framework fail to present supporting evidence that is acceptable by ordinary scientific standards. There are also contradictions in their claims that we know of conscious events via naturalised introspection, and their claims that these events create no publicly observable physical effects. Theories proposed within Property Dualist and Type-F Monist frameworks suffer from similar problems to Ordinary Materialist theories, especially contradictions between claims of knowledge by direct acquaintance and how this knowledge is stored and processed by publicly observable physical systems. Phenomenal Representationalism is advocated as the most consistent and complete way for science to deal with questions of sentience. In this framework, questions of sentience are part of wider epistemological concerns (regarding publicity, intersubjectivity, realism and scientific observation) that provide presumptions for scientific practice, rather than subjects for scientific investigation.

In this paper I argue that Velmens’ reflexive model of perceptual consciousness is useful for understanding the first-person perspective and sentience in animals. I then offer a defense of the proposal that ray-finned bony fish have a first-person perspective and sentience. This defense has two prongs. The first prong is presence of a substantial body of evidence that the neuroanatomy of the fish brain exhibits basic organizational principles associated with consciousness in mammals. These principles include a relationship between a second-order sensory relay, the preglomerular complex, and the fish pallium which bears a resemblance to the relationship between the mammalian thalamus and the neocortex, the existence of feedback/feedforward and reentrant circuitry in the pallium, and structural and functional differences among divisions of the fish pallium. The second prong is the existence of behaviors in fish that exhibit significant flexibility in the presence of environmental change and require relational learning among stimuli distributed in space, over time, or both. I conclude that, although they are instantiated differently, a first-person perspective and sentience are present in fish.

The principle objective of this thesis is to expand the term “technological sublime” to include technologies of artificial intelligence. In defining new realms of the technological sublime, we must not only consider the ecological integration of technology within natural surroundings, but also appreciate modern technological objects that instigate sublime experiences. This work examines science fictional portrayals of interactions with sentient artificial intelligence in I, Robot, 2001: A Space Odyssey and other major works of science fiction. In each of these works, characters who encounter technologies possessing artificial intelligence share sublime experiences. This thesis considers various levels of embodiment associated with the objects of artificial intelligence and discusses the sublime qualities of both cybernetic and android beings. Finally, this work examines how our perceptions of environment are altered by the introduction of virtual reality and virtual landscapes, which consequently affects our mindscapes and contribute to the technological sublime.

This thesis considers, from a folklorist’s perspective, the people in Western society who believe that everyday objects have feelings. It establishes these people as a cohesive group for study, referred to as “people to experience the belief in object sentience,” then analyzes their personal accounts of the experience to find both commonalities and differences. From this analysis and discussion of folkloristic perspectives on belief, the main argument is established: people in this group have generally been marginalized and could benefit from a more careful consideration of their beliefs.

Some unanswered questions about consciousness as a biological phenomenon lie in its evolutionary origin and distribution among living organisms. Which animals are conscious and when did consciousness appear in the history of life on earth? The purpose of this thesis is to shed light on these long-standing questions by reviewing the literature on the evolutionary approaches to the fundamental concept of phenomenal consciousness. In agreement with the “Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness,” this study aims to introduce three recently developed theories, with a particular emphasis on examining one model. The “Cellular Basis of Consciousness” (CBC) is a reductionist, cellular-based model that argues all organisms from unicellular to humans are sentient. Another theory based on neuroevolutionary arguments is called the “Neurobiological Naturalism.” It suggests that consciousness first appeared duringthe Cambrian period about 550 million years ago. This model considers vertebrates, arthropods and cephalopods as conscious animals. An alternative framework, which is the main focus of this thesis, is the “Unlimited Associative Learning” (UAL). The UAL model employs a novel method to formulate a transition marker as an indicator of consciousness. Although the UAL framework is a promising method for tracing the evolution of consciousness, it also has significant limitations. Nevertheless, the literature review reveals that as an innovative framework, UAL has the potential to generate fruitful research programs. Rather than providing a final answer, it can be considered a significant starting point for unraveling the origin of consciousness.

A qualidade do pescado está condicionada a diversos fatores, entre eles os métodos de insensibilização. Nesta pesquisa foi utilizado o choque elétrico em diferentes intensidades como método de insensibilização do bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum), e avaliados seus efeitos sobre a qualidade dos peixes resfriados e filés congelados. O experimento foi realizado em dois ensaios, sendo o primeiro insensibilizando os peixes com eletrochoque de intensidades de 100; 150 e 200 Volts, e armazenados refrigerados durante 21 dias. No segundo ensaio foi aplicada corrente elétrica utilizando as intensidades de 50; 100; 150 Volts, seguida de filetagem e estocagem sob congelamento. Os peixes utilizados em ambos os ensaios foram obtidos de uma piscicultura comercial localizada no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo a cerca de 50 km por via marítima da cidade de Ubatuba-SP. As variáveis de qualidade dos peixes avaliadas foram características físicas, químicas e sensoriais como bases nitrogenadas voláteis, medidas dielétricas, índice de Rigor Mortir, pH, desnaturação proteica, perfil de ácidos graxos e suas relações, textura, cor, drip loss, cooking loss, capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), avaliação sensorial do frescor, ATP e produtos da degradação, e oxidação lipídica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi um fatorial 6X3, seis tempos de análise e três intensidades de choque elétrico no primeiro ensaio; no segundo ensaio foi utilizado o esquema fatorial 4X3, ( quatro tempos de análises e três voltagens de choque). Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) em ambos os ensaios para a maioria das variáveis analisadas, tanto para os tratamentos, tempo, como também para a influência do tempo de armazenamento dentro de cada tratamento. No entanto, para os dois ensaios o número de variáveis com significância entre os tratamentos, foi menor em relação ao número de variáveis em que houve significância para os tempos de conservação, sendo a interação tempo*tratamento a que obteve significância expressiva dentro dos resultados encontrados. Nestes dois ensaios realizados utilizando a refrigeração e congelamento do bijupirá, foram observados os melhores resultados para o tratamento com a intensidade em 150 volts para a maioria das variáveis analisadas onde houve diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se também que o bijupirá pode ser conservado em até sete dias após abate em conservação refrigerada e até 180 dias quando estocados em congelamento. / Fish quality is subject to many factors, including the stunning methods. In this research we used the electric shock at different intensities as stunning method cobia (Rachycentron canadum), and evaluated its effects on the quality of chilled and frozen fish fillets. The experiment was conducted in two trials, the first desensitizing the fish with electroshock intensities 100; 150 and 200 volts, and stored refrigerated for 21 days. In the second assay was applied using the electrical current intensities 50; 100; 150 Volts, then filleting and storage under freezing. The fish used in both assays were obtained from a commercial fish farm located on the northern coast of São Paulo about 50 km by sea from the town of Ubatuba, Brazil. Fish quality traits were physical, chemical and sensory characteristics as volatile nitrogenous bases, dielectric measurements, Rigor Mortir index, pH, protein denaturation, fatty acid profile and their relationships, texture, color, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity (WHC), sensory evaluation of freshness, ATP and degradation products and lipid oxidation. The experimental design was a 6X3 factorial six times analysis and three electric shock intensities in the first test; the second test was used factorial 4X3 (fourstroke analyzes and three shock voltages). There were significant differences (p <0.05) in both trials for most variables, for both treatments, weather, but also to the influence of storage time within each treatment. However, for the two trials the number of significant variables between treatments was lower than the number of variables that were significant to the storage times, with the interaction time*treatment they received substantial significance within results found. In these two trials conducted using the cooling and freezing Bijupirá, the best results for the treatment intensity at 150 volts for most variables where there were significant differences (p <0.05) were observed between treatments. It was also concluded that cobia can be kept within seven days of slaughter in cold storage and up to 180 days when stored at freezing.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:22:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Roberta Lopes da Cruz Antonio.pdf: 7807326 bytes, checksum: c67c01d1fdc6d182d9bf9571f98f456a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-04 / The present paper proposes an investigation into the ethical and legal treatment of animals, evincing the recognition of sentience as a criterion in the moral consideration of animals. It discusses initially the differences and similarities between humans and other animals, anthropocentrism as a factor that favors the nonconsideration of non-human animals as beings having intrinsic values, and the legacy of Immanuel Kant as opposed to biocentrism, that includes life, in general, in the core of the universe; also, the recent debates regarding the possibility of recognizing animals fundamental rights and the development of a multidimensional and comprehensive dignity, the latter being based on the studies of Ingo Sarlet. Next, the paper presents an overview of the constitutions of Germany, Switzerland and Ecuador, also highlighting some features of English law, so as study the legal treatment given to animals in these countries. It also analyses the constitutional and infra-constitutional position of the non-human animal in the Brazilian legal system. Finally, it touches on the use of animals in scientific experiments, teaching activities, cultural events, shows and religious rituals, from the viewpoint of animals wellbeing and rights, suggesting a reflection on the need to bring animals within the sphere of moral consideration, opposing speciesism. The ideas presented are based on Peter Singer s theory of the equal consideration of interests and Tom Regan s theory of animals rights / O presente trabalho propõe uma investigação sobre o tratamento ético e legal dos animais evidenciando o reconhecimento da senciência como critério à consideração moral dos animais. Discute, inicialmente, as diferenças e semelhanças existentes entre os homens e os demais animais, o antropocentrismo como fator de desconsideração dos animais não-humanos enquanto seres dotados de valores intrínsecos e o legado de Immanuel Kant contraposto ao biocentrismo, que pretende inserir no cerne do universo a vida de maneira geral, assim como os recentes debates referentes à possibilidade de reconhecimento de direitos fundamentais aos animais e do desenvolvimento de uma dignidade multidimensional e inclusiva, este último baseado nos estudos de Ingo Sarlet. Em seguida, realiza um sobrevoo nas Constituições da Alemanha, da Suíça e do Equador, além de pincelar características do Direito Inglês, a fim de estudar o tratamento jurídico dispensado aos animais nesses países. Analisa, também, o enquadramento constitucional e infraconstitucional do animal não humano no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Finalmente, atenta para a questão da utilização de animais em experimentos científicos, atividades de ensino, eventos culturais, espetáculos e rituais religiosos, a partir da linha do bem-estar animal e dos direitos animais, convidando à reflexão acerca da necessidade de trazê-los para dentro esfera de consideração moral em combate ao especismo. Para tanto, utiliza como apoio a teoria da igual consideração de interesses, de Peter Singer, e a dos direitos animais, de Tom Regan

A qualidade do pescado está condicionada a diversos fatores, entre eles os métodos de insensibilização. Nesta pesquisa foi utilizado o choque elétrico em diferentes intensidades como método de insensibilização do bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum), e avaliados seus efeitos sobre a qualidade dos peixes resfriados e filés congelados. O experimento foi realizado em dois ensaios, sendo o primeiro insensibilizando os peixes com eletrochoque de intensidades de 100; 150 e 200 Volts, e armazenados refrigerados durante 21 dias. No segundo ensaio foi aplicada corrente elétrica utilizando as intensidades de 50; 100; 150 Volts, seguida de filetagem e estocagem sob congelamento. Os peixes utilizados em ambos os ensaios foram obtidos de uma piscicultura comercial localizada no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo a cerca de 50 km por via marítima da cidade de Ubatuba-SP. As variáveis de qualidade dos peixes avaliadas foram características físicas, químicas e sensoriais como bases nitrogenadas voláteis, medidas dielétricas, índice de Rigor Mortir, pH, desnaturação proteica, perfil de ácidos graxos e suas relações, textura, cor, drip loss, cooking loss, capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), avaliação sensorial do frescor, ATP e produtos da degradação, e oxidação lipídica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi um fatorial 6X3, seis tempos de análise e três intensidades de choque elétrico no primeiro ensaio; no segundo ensaio foi utilizado o esquema fatorial 4X3, ( quatro tempos de análises e três voltagens de choque). Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) em ambos os ensaios para a maioria das variáveis analisadas, tanto para os tratamentos, tempo, como também para a influência do tempo de armazenamento dentro de cada tratamento. No entanto, para os dois ensaios o número de variáveis com significância entre os tratamentos, foi menor em relação ao número de variáveis em que houve significância para os tempos de conservação, sendo a interação tempo*tratamento a que obteve significância expressiva dentro dos resultados encontrados. Nestes dois ensaios realizados utilizando a refrigeração e congelamento do bijupirá, foram observados os melhores resultados para o tratamento com a intensidade em 150 volts para a maioria das variáveis analisadas onde houve diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se também que o bijupirá pode ser conservado em até sete dias após abate em conservação refrigerada e até 180 dias quando estocados em congelamento. / Fish quality is subject to many factors, including the stunning methods. In this research we used the electric shock at different intensities as stunning method cobia (Rachycentron canadum), and evaluated its effects on the quality of chilled and frozen fish fillets. The experiment was conducted in two trials, the first desensitizing the fish with electroshock intensities 100; 150 and 200 volts, and stored refrigerated for 21 days. In the second assay was applied using the electrical current intensities 50; 100; 150 Volts, then filleting and storage under freezing. The fish used in both assays were obtained from a commercial fish farm located on the northern coast of São Paulo about 50 km by sea from the town of Ubatuba, Brazil. Fish quality traits were physical, chemical and sensory characteristics as volatile nitrogenous bases, dielectric measurements, Rigor Mortir index, pH, protein denaturation, fatty acid profile and their relationships, texture, color, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity (WHC), sensory evaluation of freshness, ATP and degradation products and lipid oxidation. The experimental design was a 6X3 factorial six times analysis and three electric shock intensities in the first test; the second test was used factorial 4X3 (fourstroke analyzes and three shock voltages). There were significant differences (p <0.05) in both trials for most variables, for both treatments, weather, but also to the influence of storage time within each treatment. However, for the two trials the number of significant variables between treatments was lower than the number of variables that were significant to the storage times, with the interaction time*treatment they received substantial significance within results found. In these two trials conducted using the cooling and freezing Bijupirá, the best results for the treatment intensity at 150 volts for most variables where there were significant differences (p <0.05) were observed between treatments. It was also concluded that cobia can be kept within seven days of slaughter in cold storage and up to 180 days when stored at freezing.

While biological scientists justify their research into human genetic engineering on the grounds of its 'therapeutic' potential, art - particularly the genre of science fiction (whose origins can be traced to Mary Shelly's famous tale, Frankenstein) - has acted on the social through culture to alert us to the perilous repercussions of usurping the role of the 'Creator of Life.' Now, at the dawn of the new millennium, the scientific project of mapping human DNA seemingly complete, the plight of the genetically-engineered human has become an intense focus of cultural critique. This doctoral project can be differentiated by its focus on aesthetic inquiry into the implications for expressions and representations of corporeality in relation to contemporary biomedical engineering. It has incorporated stem cell research that entails the manipulation and redirection of adult stem cell fates. The project takes the form of practical and theoretical investigations into cellular responses, and is framed within the matrices of both an innovative collaborative art/science research model and the evolving process of practice-led arts research. The exploratory research is discursively located within the system/environment paradigm. This allows for boundaries between the philosophic and scientific disciplines of: 1. epistemology, 2. ethics and aesthetics and 3. biology and technology to become nodes in a relational network associated with: 1. living and non-living, 2. sentience and consciousness and 3. conceptions of humanness. The cycle of practice-led research culminates in a body of work that began with a project entitled apoptosis, and developed into a three part quasi-scientific vital force series of installations. Each of these installations references nineteenth century scientific experimental processes employed in a search for the essential components of the human being itself. The series of interactive installations is discussed and the processual, pioneering research model, whereby the artist becomes the 'human guinea pig' is theoretically and visually articulated. In addition, time-lapse videomicrograph image data, collected through laboratory experiments is interpreted and recontextualised by the artist-researcher for representation in the vital force series of immersive installations. In these installations the implications of the issues raised by biomedical engineering processes are expressed as a very physical, tactile encounter. The aim is that these encounters engender a multi-sensory experience for the individual viewer, who, when immersed in the aesthetic, corporeal, interactive installations as a participant who completes the work through their engagement. Thus, the significance of the study lies in its re-privileging of the aesthetic experience of corporeality in the discourses surrounding genetic manipulation. This exegesis, like the doctoral project itself, is cyclical; following the inseparable processes of theory and practice through which the implications of the core research issues for a hybrid art/science practice are explored. It echoes the qualitative, post-positivist research methodology used throughout the project, which aimed to overcome the third person perspective through such strategies as interactivity and hybridity.