1

I'm looking for a word for sentient beings that are smarter than ordinary human beings. This word should at least include the following:

  • Geniuses with artificially enhanced intelligence
  • Alien lifeforms that are smarter than normal human beings
  • A.I.s that are smarter than normal human beings

The words "overmind" and "posthuman" have come to my mind, but "overmind" seems to be generally understood as "being controlling other beings", while "posthuman" doesn't include super-smart aliens.

Edit: Fixed misleading wording.

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

What you're talking about is called superintelligence or hyperintelligence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superintelligence

Improve this answer
7
  • I think that Wikipedia page is just so much waffle. Neither superintelligence nor hyperintelligence have any commonly-understood meaning.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 28, 2014 at 17:28
  • Fair enough. At the very least it's a place to start a synonym search.
    – Kevin Workman
    Apr 28, 2014 at 17:29
  • To be honest, I think the question is effectively unanswerable. We can't even propose things like suprahuman intelligence, because that would exclude "unusually intelligent" human geniuses - a category OP explicitly says he wants covered by the target expression. I can't really imagine there's a special word for more intelligent than an "ordinary" genius, but not so intelligent that no human being could ever be that smart.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 28, 2014 at 17:38
  • @FumbleFingers I think the OP /was/ looking for something implying "no human being could ever be that smart". It seemed like he was describing a human being who was not fully human in one way or another, e.g. genetically enhanced. I interpreted that to mean that an ordinary human, even one with off-the-charts IQ who graduates college at the age of 9 or whatever, would not fall under that description.
    – andi
    Apr 28, 2014 at 18:12
  • @andi: I'm sure there are already "genetically-enhanced" people, if you include those born with genetic defects that have been fixed/enhanced. At what point do we start saying a person is "no longer human", just because they've had their genes tinkered with?
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 28, 2014 at 18:18

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.