Sentience
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
- "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent."
- ―Qui-Gon Jinn to Jar Jar Binks[src]
Sentience was the ability to think intelligently.
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[edit] Classification
A sentient was a being with the ability to think intelligently, commonly determined by the being's ability to speak, manipulate tools, and reason. Species that lacked this ability were classified as non-sentient, or sometimes as sub-sentient.[1] Species that appeared to have emerging sentience were classified as semi-sentient. These included species that had very primitive capabilities to manipulate tools, use language, and/or solve problems. Examples included the Arkanian dragon, the Bafforr tree, and the Darkstaff.
[edit] History
An Annual Mid-Rim Domesticated Sub-Sentient Show was held for non-sentient creatures.[1] The Galactic Empire would often recategorize sentient species such as the Wookiees as non-sentient, allowing it to enslave them without formally violating the laws protecting sentient beings from such abuse.
[edit] Behind the scenes
The term sentient is technically incorrect for this usage, instead referring to any being with the capacity to feel sensations, such as pain; thus, most animals are sentient. More correct terms include sapient and sophont.
Sentient comes from the Latin word sentire, meaning "to feel."
[edit] Appearances
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Best in Show Eaten by Second-Best—HoloNet News Vol. 531 46
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Every Star Wars story has a sentient being of some kind, as all material contains at least one character with the abilities listed above.
