Difference between revisions of "Sophont"
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Lifeform Summaries
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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 | + | [[File:LifeformChart.png|right]] |
| + | '''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. |
| + | * 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 ==== | ||
| + | Derived from the [[Terran]] Greek word '''Sophia''', meaning ''wisdom''. | ||
== Description (Specifications) == | == Description (Specifications) == | ||
| Line 7: | Line 14: | ||
* '''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]]. | * '''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 & 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: | ||
| Line 26: | Line 33: | ||
# [[Proto-Sophont]]s (transitory stage) | # [[Proto-Sophont]]s (transitory stage) | ||
# [[Sophont]]s | # [[Sophont]]s | ||
| − | # [[ | + | # [[Transcendent]]s (transitory stage) |
| − | # [[ | + | # [[Ascendant]]s |
# [[Singularity]] | # [[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 | {{Sources | ||
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name=The Traveller Adventure|page=144}} | |S1= {{Ludography cite|name=The Traveller Adventure|page=144}} | ||
|S2= {{TDref|6}} in article: 'Persons and Unpersons: What constitutes Intelligence' | |S2= {{TDref|6}} in article: 'Persons and Unpersons: What constitutes Intelligence' | ||
| − | |S3= Novel: {{T5}} Edition [[Agent of the Imperium]] | + | |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]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{LE|Science}} | + | [[Category: Sophontology]] |
| + | {{LE|Science|Terminology}} | ||
{{LEN}} | {{LEN}} | ||
| − | |||
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]
§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §
Lifeform Sciences[edit]
§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §
- L: Lifeform Sciences
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
- 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