Science Fiction
In science fiction, an alien, android, robot, hologram, or computer described as sentient (properly sapient) is usually treated as a fully human character, with similar rights, qualities, and capabilities as any other character. Foremost among these properties is human level intelligence (see above), but sentient characters also typically display desire, will, consciousness, ethics, personality, insight, and many other human qualities. Sentience is being used in this context to describe an essential human property that brings all these other qualities with it. The words "self-awareness", and "consciousness" are used in similar ways in science fiction.
Read more about this topic: Sentience
Famous quotes containing the words science and/or fiction:
“The latest refinements of science are linked with the cruelties of the Stone Age.”
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965)
“One can be absolutely truthful and sincere even though admittedly the most outrageous liar. Fiction and invention are of the very fabric of life.”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)