Sentien

Sentien is a term that has appeared in various fictional contexts, often referring to beings possessing sentience. Sentience, in this context, generally implies the capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively. This can include consciousness, awareness of oneself and one's surroundings, and the ability to have emotions or sensations.

The specific nature of sentien can vary greatly depending on the narrative. In some science fiction stories, sentien might be artificial intelligences that have achieved a level of self-awareness beyond their programming. In fantasy settings, sentien could be magical creatures or beings from other dimensions with unique forms of consciousness. The concept is frequently used to explore ethical questions about rights, personhood, and the definition of life itself.

The term itself is a portmanteau, combining "sentient" with a suffix that can suggest a collective or a specific type of entity. While not a standard scientific or philosophical term, "sentien" serves as a useful shorthand within creative works to denote sentient beings, particularly when differentiating them from non-sentient life forms or objects. Its usage often aims to evoke a sense of wonder, otherness, or potential conflict arising from the existence of such beings.