Difference between revisions of "Sophont"
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=== Notes === | === Notes === | ||
| + | Any intelligent species. Sophont is preferred to Sapient, although the two | ||
| + | terms are roughly synonymous. Traveller 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 | ||
| + | Traveller materials used xenology, or even xenoanthropology, but sophontology is | ||
| + | preferred. | ||
| + | '''Sophonts''' are consistently described with a long name in the format “the [race name] of [homeworld]”. For example, the [[Llellewlowy]] of [[Junidy (world)|Junidy]]. | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
Revision as of 16:18, 3 January 2016
SOPHONT: A generalized term for an intelligent life being, including humans as well as intelligent aliens.
- See Major Race and Minor Race.
Notes
Any intelligent species. Sophont is preferred to Sapient, although the two terms are roughly synonymous. Traveller 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 Traveller materials used xenology, or even xenoanthropology, but sophontology is preferred.
Sophonts are consistently described with a long name in the format “the [race name] of [homeworld]”. For example, the Llellewlowy of Junidy.
Description
A 'Sophont is a member of a species (race) generally recognized as sentient.
- A person who studies sophonts is known as a Sophontologist.
- See Sophontologist for more information.
Etymology
Derived from the Terran Greek word Sophia, meaning wisdom.
History & Background (Dossier)
No information yet available.
References & Contributors (Sources)
- 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