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]].
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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.
 
* 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.  
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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.
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* But, using tools is not enough: Technology is the ability to use tools as force multipliers to get things done.
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* Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to ever-higher levels.
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* Technology builds on the successes of earlier tool-making experiences, and enables a progression to higher levels.
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Please see the following [[AAB]] articles for related data:
 
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* [[Sophont]]
 
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** [[Extilligence]]
 
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** [[Hosking Rating]]
 
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** [[Intelligence]]
 
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** [[Sapient]]
 
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** [[Sentient]]
 
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** [[Stimulus]]
 
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* [[Charted Space]]
 
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** [[Major Race]]
 
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** [[:Category:Minor Race|Minor Race]]
 
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* [[Sophontology]]
 
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** [[Civilization]]
 
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** [[Culture]]
 
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** [[First Contact]]
 
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** [[Language]]
 
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** [[NIL]]
 
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** [[Proto-Sophont]]
 
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** [[Sophontologist]]
 
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** [[Technology]]
 
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=== Etymology ===
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==== 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 ==
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{{:Referral-Tree-Sophont}}
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{{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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{{DE}}
 

Latest revision as of 00:18, 12 May 2020

LifeformChart.png

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:

Cycle of Life & Sophontic Civilization[edit]

Stages:

  1. A-life
  2. Proto-Life (transitory stage)
  3. Creatures
  4. Proto-Sophonts (transitory stage)
  5. Sophonts
  6. Transcendents (transitory stage)
  7. Ascendants
  8. 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: ) == §
  • Lifeform Summaries

    • 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.
    Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=Sophont&oldid=603400"