"Social Intelligence"

Post Reply New Topic

Has anybody read this book?

Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.
The subtitle is "The New Science of Human Relationships"

I've never read any of his books, but this one has my attention. I expect it to have a lot about AS in it. I just put a copy on hold at the library, but I'm curious if anyone has read it already? If so, what did you think?

Havent heard of it but I'll look into it too. What made you want to read it?

I am not sure it will necessarily go on about AS, it might talk about it a little bit though. It will likely be more of a description of how an NT's mind works. It might also show some examples of social intelligence in play as well, which could be sort of interesting. It will probably help you understand AS more if only through comparison. I have not read it though, but I did take the time to look it up.

I sort of figure it will be an interesting read. Maybe not much I haven't already read/thought about, but who knows. I thought I'd ask here and see if anyone had read it. I'm curious, mostly.

Has anyone read this book?

I have never read “Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman”

That having said I would like to state a fact that may or may not be relevant to what is in the book. Please bare with me until I express my train of thought.

It was discovered that dogs that had never received or thought certain commands tended to understand and obey them. At first this was attributed to dogs being more intelligent than previously perceived. After further investigation it was discovered that the “intelligence” that dogs displayed was in fact instinct that was bred into them by Man during the thousands of years that they were used as pets for defense and protection. In fact when confronted with a completely unique circumstance a cat was just as or more intelligent than a dog.

My question is:

When Mr. Daniel Goleman uses the word “intelligence”, is he referring to instinct or actual, bona fide, intelligence? To put it in another way: A stupid spider can spin an intricate web without even comprehending what he/she is doing. If this is the case than to call "being social" “intelligent” makes Mr. Goleman look like a spider does it not?