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 | + | '''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. | * 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. | * 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 | + | * 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 | + | * Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to higher levels. |
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− | === Etymology === | + | ==== Term Etymology ==== |
Derived from the [[Terran]] Greek word '''Sophia''', meaning ''wisdom''. | Derived from the [[Terran]] Greek word '''Sophia''', meaning ''wisdom''. | ||
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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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+ | == See also == | ||
+ | {{:Referral-Tree-Sophont}} | ||
+ | {{Referral-Tree-L-Lifeforms}} | ||
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | == References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | ||
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{{LE|Science|Terminology}} | {{LE|Science|Terminology}} | ||
{{LEN}} | {{LEN}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 00:18, 12 May 2020
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.
- 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 as force multipliers to get things done.
- Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to higher levels.
Term Etymology[edit]
Derived from the Terran Greek word Sophia, meaning wisdom.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- 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)[edit]
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[edit]
Please see the following AAB article for a list of known sophont species: Races/summary.
Academic Sophont Sources[edit]
Some of the best guides to studying sophonts in Charted Space include:
See also[edit]
Sophont[edit]
Lifeform Sciences[edit]
- L: Lifeform Sciences
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
- 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