It is based on years of research that has shown dolphins and whales have large, complex brains and a human-like level of self-awareness. This has led the experts to conclude that although non-human, dolphins and whales are “people” in a philosophical sense, which has far-reaching implications.
BBC News - Dolphins deserve same rights as humans, say scientists
I just don’t see why having a complex brain is what makes a creature a person. If consciousness and self-awareness are the defining aspects, cats and dogs have it just the same. It’s a strange, illogical conviction that some people hold that animals aren’t conscious - of course they are! People just say they’re not because it makes them feel better about eating them.
