What exactly is allowed in the Federation and what exactly disqualifies membership?

[korblborp]

@Nyotarules beat you to it. Moving on.

yeah, but nyotarules didn't quote Azetbur :P

 

[Shawnster]

Sophont isn't a officially recognized word that I can find in any official dictionary.

The problem is we don't have a word to accurately describe what we are talking about. Sentient and sapient seem to be descriptive of lower lifeforms, animals, that are not going to ever develop starships or electronic watches and definitely will not exchange thoughts and ideas with humans.

Some might bristle at my use of the phrase lower lifeforms. Others may not agree that any superior intelligence other than humans can be considered a person. Dogs are intelligent.

Poul Anderson observed we need a new word. Sophont.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Sentient and sapient seem to be descriptive of lower lifeforms, animals, that are not going to ever develop starships or electronic watches and definitely will not exchange thoughts and ideas with humans.

Sentient, despite Star Trek (and occasionally other sci-fantasy franchises misuse of the term, is roughly correct to the above description. Inherently, it means "capable of reacting to sensation" or something along those lines and is describes all animals and at least a few plants.

The exact meaning of sapient varies according to sources, but is typically conflated with sapiens (literally wise or knowledgeable), and defined as "of human or human-like intelligence".