Sentient versus Sapient (hopefully my last word on AI)

I've been busy this last week, so I'm just getting to some of this older mail.
In the meantime, the AI discussion seems to have wound down. There's some good
stuff in there, but it has moved away from FT to a large degree. This is the
only outstanding issue from my original comments. I'll shut up after this.

> At 10:30 PM 7/21/97 +0100, Sam wrote:

sentient (adj.) 1. having the power of sense perception or sensation;
conscious.

sapient (adj.) wise or sagacious. sagacious (adj.) 1. having or showing
sagacity; wise. sagacity (n.) foresight, discernment, or keen perception; the
ability to make good judgements.

By the above definitions, most higher life forms, including dogs, cats,
primates, etc. are sentient, while something like an earthworm probably
wouldn't be sentient. These animals have feelings and perception. They are
conscious. You probably wouldn't want one controlling your starship, though.

On the other hand, sapient means--essentially--that the creature is
capable of higher thought. It is capable of foresight, and the ability to make
judgements. We're sapient; my dog is sentient.

Otherwise, good comments from Sam. Can't fault any of them.