Difference between revisions of "Sophont"
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− | '''SOPHONT''': A generalized term for an intelligent [[lifeform]] and technology-using being ['''N'''ative '''I'''ntelligent '''L'''ife ([[NIL]])] or [[Sapient]], including humans as well as intelligent aliens, that have a significant presence within [[Charted Space]]. | + | '''SOPHONT''': A generalized term for an intelligent [[lifeform]] and technology-using being ['''N'''ative '''I'''ntelligent '''L'''ife ([[NIL]])] or [[Sapient]], including humans as well as intelligent aliens, that have a significant interstellar presence within [[Charted Space]]. |
* The number of [[sophont]]s which have been contacted is quite high; the Imperium boasts more than a hundred; [[Charted Space]] boasts more than four hundred. | * The number of [[sophont]]s which have been contacted is quite high; the Imperium boasts more than a hundred; [[Charted Space]] boasts more than four hundred. | ||
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Revision as of 16:08, 1 January 2017
SOPHONT: A generalized term for an intelligent lifeform and technology-using being [Native Intelligent Life (NIL)] or Sapient, including humans as well as intelligent aliens, that have a significant interstellar presence within Charted Space.
- The number of sophonts which have been contacted is quite high; the Imperium boasts more than a hundred; Charted Space boasts more than four hundred.
Related Terms
A person who studies sophonts is known as a Sophontologist.
- Please see Sophontologist for more information.
Etymology
Derived from the Terran Greek word Sophia, meaning wisdom.
Description (Specifications)
A Sophont is a member of a species (race) generally recognized as sapient that has achieved a presence on an interstellar scale.
- Sophonts are consistently described with a long name in the format “the [race name] of [homeworld]”. For example, the Llellewyoly of Junidy.
History & Background (Dossier)
Remarks: Any intelligent species. Sophont is preferred to Sapient, although the two terms are roughly synonymous. The IISS assumes a vague hierarchy in which sapient is inferior to sophont (roughly, sapients as a species have not left their homeworld, and sophonts are present in interstellar society). Sentient technically means “feeling” and should not be used to describe an intelligent species. Sophont encompasses all intelligent species. The study of sophonts or intelligent life forms is sophontology; some older IISS materials used xenology, or even xenoanthropology, but sophontology is preferred.
Cycle of Life & Civilization
- A-life → Proto-Life → Creatures → Proto-Sophonts → Sophonts → Ascendants → Transcendents → Singularity
Stages:
- A-life
- Proto-Life (transitory stage)
- Creatures
- Proto-Sophonts (transitory stage)
- Sophonts
- Ascendants (transitory stage)
- Transcendents
- Singularity
Sophont Species Listing
Please see the following AAB article for a list of known sophont species: Races/summary.
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Frank Chadwick, John Harshman, J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. The Traveller Adventure (Game Designers Workshop, 1983), 144.
- Periodical: MegaTraveller Travellers' Digest No. 6 in article: 'Persons and Unpersons: What constitutes Intelligence'
- Novel: Traveller 5th Edition Agent of the Imperium
- External Link: Citations for Sophont
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science