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 interstellar 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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* But, using tools is not enough: Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. Only when societies make the leap to using tools to make tools do they become technological. | * But, using tools is not enough: Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. Only when societies make the leap to using tools to make tools do they become technological. | ||
* Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to ever-higher levels. | * Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to ever-higher levels. | ||
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− | === Etymology === | + | === Library Data Referral Tree === |
+ | Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br> | ||
+ | {{:Referral-Tree-Sophont}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Term Etymology ==== | ||
Derived from the [[Terran]] Greek word '''Sophia''', meaning ''wisdom''. | Derived from the [[Terran]] Greek word '''Sophia''', meaning ''wisdom''. | ||
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* [[Sentient]] | * [[Sentient]] | ||
* True [[Artificial Intelligence]] | * True [[Artificial Intelligence]] | ||
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=== Cycle of Life & Sophontic Civilization === | === Cycle of Life & Sophontic Civilization === | ||
− | * [[A-life]] → [[Proto-Life]] → [[Creature]]s → [[Proto-Sophont]]s → [[Sophont]]s → [[ | + | * [[A-life]] → [[Proto-Life]] → [[Creature]]s → [[Proto-Sophont]]s → [[Sophont]]s → [[Transcendent]]s → [[Ascendant]]s → [[Singularity]] |
Stages: | Stages: | ||
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# [[Proto-Sophont]]s (transitory stage) | # [[Proto-Sophont]]s (transitory stage) | ||
# [[Sophont]]s | # [[Sophont]]s | ||
− | # [[ | + | # [[Transcendent]]s (transitory stage) |
− | # [[ | + | # [[Ascendant]]s |
# [[Singularity]] | # [[Singularity]] | ||
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+ | == 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, [[sapient]]s as a species have not left their [[homeworld]], and [[sophont]]s 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 [[sophont]]s or intelligent life forms is [[sophontology]]; some older [[IISS]] materials used xenology, or even xenoanthropology, but [[sophontology]] is preferred. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Sophont Species Listing === | ||
+ | Please see the following [[AAB]] article for a list of known sophont species: [[Races/summary]]. | ||
=== Academic Sophont Sources === | === Academic Sophont Sources === | ||
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* [[Crowe's Encyclopaedia Xenobiologica]] | * [[Crowe's Encyclopaedia Xenobiologica]] | ||
* [[Wiseman's Guide to Sophonts]] | * [[Wiseman's Guide to Sophonts]] | ||
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== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | == References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == |
Revision as of 13:11, 18 July 2019
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.
- Tools are used to adapt, change, or control an environment. Tool-using cultures are groups of beings (not necessarily sophonts) with the ability to find or make tools.
- But, using tools is not enough: Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. Only when societies make the leap to using tools to make tools do they become technological.
- Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to ever-higher levels.
Library Data Referral Tree
Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Sophont
Term 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.
Alternate Terminology
A number of other terms exist amongst the many sophont species of Charted Space for technology-using beings including:
- Higher Ensouled Being
- Highly Intelligent Being
- HILF (higher intelligent life form)
- Mesosophont
- Sapient
- Sentient
- True Artificial Intelligence
Cycle of Life & Sophontic Civilization
- A-life → Proto-Life → Creatures → Proto-Sophonts → Sophonts → Transcendents → Ascendants → Singularity
Stages:
- A-life
- Proto-Life (transitory stage)
- Creatures
- Proto-Sophonts (transitory stage)
- Sophonts
- Transcendents (transitory stage)
- Ascendants
- Singularity
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.
Sophont Species Listing
Please see the following AAB article for a list of known sophont species: Races/summary.
Academic Sophont Sources
Some of the best guides to studying sophonts in Charted Space include:
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'
- Periodical: Stellar Reaches 22
- Novel: Traveller 5th Edition Agent of the Imperium
- EXTERNAL LINK: Citations for Sophont
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science