Critical Intelligence versus Emotional Intelligence:

IQ versus EQ
Thomas J. Hally

Is there such a thing as emotional intelligence? If so, how do emotional intelligence

and critical intelligence differ? Do they work together? Are there two human brains? Two
minds? Or is there a single brain/mind in which both emotional thinking and ratiocination
synergically work as one? Is critical intelligence a sort of delayed response to a given
situation in comparison to emotional intelligence? I will strive to answer these questions in this
essay.

Firstly, some definitions are in order. Intelligence is defined in Websters New World
Dictionary as the ability to acquire and retain knowledge. Furthermore, this acquired
knowledge is used in solving our everyday problems and orchestrating our behavior. Emotional
intelligence is a measure of the degree to which a person successfully (or unsuccessfully) applies
sound judgment and reasoning to situations in the process of determining emotional or sentient
situational responses. So then, this brings up another question: What is emotion? Websters
New World Dictionary states that emotions are a part of consciousness that have to do with the
arousal of feelings. The state of emotion is distinguished from other mental states; from
cognition, from volition and from awareness of physical sensation (pleasant or unpleasant).
Feeling may be a subjective reaction that is experienced in any given situation. Critical
thinking relates to the symbiotic relationship between cognition (IQ) and emotional thinking
(EQ). As a type of thinking, critical thinking is rational and reflective, and it is concerned with
what to do and what to believe. Since our emotions and feelings (sentiments) are largely involved
with our beliefs and our actions, rational-reflective thinking brings reason to bear upon our
emotions. For example, I am fearful because I believe I am being threatened, and therefore I
either attack my would-be assailant or flee. Critical intelligence and reflective critical thinking
enable us to get a hold of our reasoning powers in order to appropriately address and direct our
desires, feelings, emotions and actions. Our emotional functions do not precede our intellectual
functions. That is, our emotional intelligence and our cognitive functions react concomitantly.
And cognition is paramount in importance. Understandable, after all, we are Homini
sapientiand Feminae sapientiae!

Just as a person with the appropriate mathematical skill can effectively solve a problem in
differential calculus, a person with a high degree of emotional intelligence will respond to
situations with feelings that make good sense to a particular situation. Feeling states are our
emotional compass, leading us along a course of reasonable behavior and action. In this sense,
feeling states are motivational and motivation, volitions forerunner. Rational emotions
translate into rational desires and rational behavior. But it is our thinking that ultimately suggests
an action or creates a given emotional response to- and an evaluation of a situation.

A popular theory contends that the human mind is comprised of at least three basic
functions: cognition (thinking), feelings (emotion) and volition (will, drive). Cognition
includes such mental activities such as analyzing, comparing, assuming, inferring, questioning,
contrasting, evaluating, etc. In short, the cognitive function conceptualizes, rationalizes, reasons
and solves problems. The feeling (or emotional) function of our mind is our internal monitor. It
gives us feedback on our performance in any given circumstance or set of circumstances.
Finally, volition (or will) is the third function of the mind. Although distinct from each other,
these three basic mental functions work concomitantly and dynamically. Our thinking is that
which will ultimately guide us in choosing some action or help us avoid a mistaken choice of
action. In the last analysis, it is our thinking that prepares us for an emotional evaluation of a
situation or set of circumstances.

According to Doctor Daniel Goleman, we have two minds and two brains, not just one [of
each]. In his book1he works at giving the reader some insight into human emotions and their
inevitable relationship to intellectual functioning. However, it is more accurate and logical to
believe that we are a one-mind/one-brain complex which is also multifaceted and acts in
conjunction with the dictates (or suggestions) of its three principal mental functions.

Every flaw in our emotion (feeling) and our drive (volition) creates a defect (disability) in
our thinking and reasoning. When there are flaws, the basic functions of our mental activity no
longer work effectively and efficiently. When there is a flaw in one or more of the three we
literally cant think straight. Critical thinking enables us to form sound beliefs and make
relatively correct judgments. The truly intelligent person is not a disembodied intellect
functioning in an emotional wasteland, but a deeply committed mindful person, full of passion
and high values, engaged in effective reasoning, sound judgment, and wise conduct. 2 Finely-
tuned critical thinking ability is our key for a happy and well-directed rational and emotional life.
1 Emotional Intelligence, Goleman, Daniel. Bantam Books, New York, NY (1995).

2 Elder, Linda. From: Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines, Winter, 1996. Vol. XVI, No.
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