Cogitor was the honorary title given to revered philosophers and scientists during the Old Empire, who chose to transfer their brains into preservation canisters. This action was taken auspiciously to continue their ruminations and advanced interpretations of the universe.
Interaction with Others
Cogitors were famous for their avoidance of sensory stimuli. This extended not only to the prospect of robotic bodies controled by thoughtrodes, but also to interactions with political groups within the intergalactic arena. Indeed, Cogitors largely stayed secluded in quiet locations such as the City of Introspection or the ice planet Hessra, deliberately to avoid contact with outsiders. Consequently, the thinking machines did not treat them as humans and tolerated their presence even in Synchronized Worlds. As neutral mediators, Cogitors and their Secondaries could freely ask audience from a Machine.
However, this tactic was not always adhered to. The Cogitor Eklo played a significant role in the rise of the Titans. He and other Cogitors remained on Earth in a monastery; their presence was tolerated because of their neutrality and isolation. When some fugitive slaves sought refuge in the monastery, Eklo dispatched his human Secondaries to drive them out of concealment to be captured by Iblis Ginjo's hunter team.
Many years later he attempted to rectify his mistakes by interfering with the Ginjo; an action that precluded the Butlerian Jihad, the destruction of Earth, and his own death at the hands of the Titan Juno. Years later on Salusa Secundus, the Cogitor Vidad attempted to broker a peace deal between the League of Nobles and the thinking machines. His actions failed and in fact inflamed the two parties conflict even further, thanks once again to Iblis Ginjo.
Known Cogitors
Behind the scenes
The Cogitors were perhaps inspired from the B'omarr monks of Star Wars universe.