Proto-Sophont

A Proto-Sophont is an advanced lifeform that has begun the process of creating an identity, culture, society, and civilization including the development and use of increasingly advanced technologies.

• TL-0 lifeform possessing advanced intelligence hallmarks
• Proto-Sophonts use "found tools," but do not yet possess the ability to make tools using other tools. That comes at TL-1.
• It is a sophontigraphic and astrobiological term

Library Data Referral Tree

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:

Sophont

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

• Native Intelligent Life
• Sophont
  • Human Race
    • Humanoid
    • Non-humanoid
    • Semi-humanoid
  • Humaniti
    • Major Human Race
    • Minor Human Race
  • Major Race
    • Major Human Race
    • Major Non-Human Race
  • Minor Race
    • Minor Human Race
    • Minor Non-Human Race
  • Non-human Race
    • Major Non-Human Race
    • Minor Non-Human Race
  • Variant Race
    • Chimera Species
    • Human Chimera
    • Genetic Engineering
    • Variant Human Race
    • Variant Non-Human Race
  • Ancients
  • Ascendants
  • Extinct Species
  • Precursors
  • Primordials
  • Transcendents

Description (Specifications)

There are a number of disputes among sophontologists as to exactly which traits are the hallmarks of higher sophonce. And which technologies must be developed to be widely considered a proper sophont species. They are acquiring internal and external technologies.

Higher Intelligence Hallmarks

Sophonts almost always contain all of the following three hallmarks. Some very intelligent creatures may possess only one or two of these features. Proto-sophonts possess all three, but at fundamental, basic levels:

• Language (communicative medium)
• Social Hierarchy (governance)
• Technology (found tools)

Cycle of Life & Sophontic Civilization

• A-life → Proto-Life → Creatures → Proto-Sophonts → Sophonts → Transcendents → Ascendants → Singularity

Stages:

1. A-life
2. Proto-Life (transitory stage)
3. Creatures
4. Proto-Sophonts (transitory stage)
5. Sophonts
6. Transcendents (transitory stage)
7. Ascendants
8. Singularity

History & Background (Dossier)

The Major Races all possess different attitudes towards what is considered proper conduct towards proto-sophonts. Some like the Hivers look on proto's as children to be cared for and raised to benevolent sophonce, while others such as the K'kree look on proto's as agricultural crops to be weeded and culled to encourage desired characteristics. The Third Imperium stands somewhere in between and officially values proto-sophont lifeforms and civilizations, but then all too often turns a blind eye to the subjugation and oppression of such species.

Fundamental Technologies

Some combination of the following fundamental technologies underlie the establishment of the first proto-civilizations, peopled by proto-sophonts:

• Comestible Management (agriculture, fungiculture, livestock husbandry, etc.)
• Governance & philosophy (social organization, leadership, ethics, etc.)
• Hydraulic management (water management, irrigation, etc.)
• Tool creation & use (Technology)
• Materials science (resources, mining, metallurgy, etc.)

Later, more advanced sciences and technologies develop after an emergent proto-civilization becomes successful.

Fundamental Sciences

Advanced sciences and technologies are generally grouped into the following categories:

• A formalized method of scientific inquiry.
• Earth (planetary) and Space sciences, including astronomy, cosmology, and geosciences.
• Social sciences, including psychology and sociology.
• Life sciences, including biology and medical technologies.
• Physical sciences, including chemistry and physics.
• Formal sciences, including mathematics and logic.

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• T5 Core Book
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science