PresumedSapient t1_j9xpxmt wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:55 AM

Reply to comment by _blackdog6_ in [WP] The aliens, it seems, do not consider us a sentient species because we are unable to 'keeneetaa'. We still haven't figured out what that means. by limbodog

It's one of those words without single definition, it can change depending on usage and context.

Sentient vs sapient in science fiction is (very roughly) 'able to feel/sense/observe' vs 'capable of self awareness and abstract thought'.

In other usage sapient can both mean 'wise' and its 'attempting to appear wise', which can lead to hilarious misunderstanding depending on who makes the claim or accusation.

Futatossout t1_j9yfqe1 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 2:10 PM

I like the term 'Sophont' for the general 'is this a reasoning being?' term because sapient/sapience is human-centric and xenointelligences would have their own 'person-like' analogue.