Editing 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.
* 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.
* 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 as force multipliers to get things done.
* Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to higher levels.
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==== 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 [[Llellewyloly|Llellewyoly]] of [[Junidy (world)|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]] → [[Creature]]s → [[Proto-Sophont]]s → [[Sophont]]s → [[Transcendent]]s → [[Ascendant]]s → [[Singularity]]

Stages:
# [[A-life]] 
# [[Proto-Life]] (transitory stage)
# [[Creature]]s 
# [[Proto-Sophont]]s (transitory stage) 
# [[Sophont]]s 
# [[Transcendent]]s (transitory stage)
# [[Ascendant]]s 
# [[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, [[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 ===
Some of the best guides to studying sophonts in Charted Space include:
* [[Crowe's Encyclopaedia Xenobiologica]]
* [[Wiseman's Guide to Sophonts]]

== See also ==
{{:Referral-Tree-Sophont}}
{{Referral-Tree-L-Lifeforms}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Sources
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name=The Traveller Adventure|page=144}}
|S2= {{TDref|6}} in article: 'Persons and Unpersons: What constitutes Intelligence' 
|S3= Periodical: [[Stellar Reaches 22]]
|S4= Novel: {{T5}} Edition [[Agent of the Imperium]] 
|S5= EXTERNAL LINK: [http://www.jessesword.com/sf/view/298 Citations for Sophont]
|S6= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S7= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
}}


[[Category: Sophontology]]
{{LE|Science|Terminology}}
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