Emotional Intelligence –The Art of Deceit and Manipulation? My Conversation with the Absolutely “Politically Correct” Engine, ChatGPT

What is emotional intelligence if not the ability to lie and manipulate people effectively?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is actually the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and express emotions effectively in oneself and others. It involves being aware of one’s own emotions and those of others, as well as being able to use this awareness to navigate social interactions, manage relationships, and make sound decisions.

While it’s true that individuals with high emotional intelligence may have a better understanding of how emotions can influence others and may be more adept at navigating social situations, it’s important to emphasize that emotional intelligence is not about manipulating or deceiving people. In fact, a key aspect of emotional intelligence is empathy, which involves understanding and genuinely caring about others’ feelings and perspectives.

People with high emotional intelligence are often skilled at building rapport, resolving conflicts, and fostering positive relationships because they are able to communicate effectively, show empathy, and manage their own emotions in a healthy way. Manipulation and deception are antithetical to the principles of emotional intelligence, as they undermine trust and authenticity in relationships.

You make this statement: “While it’s true that individuals with high emotional intelligence may have a better understanding of how emotions can influence others and may be more adept at navigating social situations, it’s important to emphasize that emotional intelligence is not about manipulating or deceiving people.” How can this be true that the emotional intelligence does not involve active lying and social manipulation if you accept that from a genetic standpoint, at least, we are all selfish agents in this world trying to maximize our evolutionary fitness? What good is, for example, having a high IQ if you don’t apply that prowess to solving real world problems? For EQ the “problem” to be solved is maximizing our fitness in a highly intra-specific environment– that is, an environment of intense competition amongst individual human beings.

It’s true that from an evolutionary standpoint, humans are driven by various instincts, including self-preservation and the desire to maximize their own well-being and reproductive success. However, it’s important to recognize that emotional intelligence (EQ) is not solely about individual success at the expense of others. Rather, it encompasses the ability to navigate social interactions and relationships in a way that promotes cooperation, empathy, and mutual understanding.

While it’s true that some individuals may use their emotional intelligence to manipulate or deceive others for personal gain, this behavior is not a fundamental aspect of EQ. In fact, manipulation and deception can often backfire, leading to damaged relationships and reputations in the long run.

Instead, individuals with high emotional intelligence are often adept at building trust, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts in a way that benefits all parties involved. They are able to understand and empathize with the emotions and perspectives of others, leading to more authentic and fulfilling relationships.

Furthermore, EQ is not inherently at odds with other forms of intelligence, such as IQ. In fact, individuals who possess both high emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence are often better equipped to navigate complex social and professional environments, solve problems collaboratively, and achieve long-term success.

In summary, while evolutionary pressures may influence human behavior to some extent, emotional intelligence is ultimately about fostering positive social connections and cooperation, rather than manipulating or deceiving others for individual gain.

In the the last paragraph you summarize with: “while evolutionary pressures may influence human behavior to some extent, emotional intelligence is ultimately about fostering positive social connections and cooperation, rather than manipulating or deceiving others for individual gain.” If ultimately, the individual is working towards a selfish end, and not for the greater good — and this concept can be demonstrated by strict gene theory (exceptions being when family is involved and therefore genes work to promote copies of themselves with cooperation )–then does not all emotional intelligence really have the aim of facilitating these individual goals — of self promotion over the group–rather than that of fostering “cooperation, empathy, and mutual understanding”? Please be brief and succinct in your answer.

While evolutionary pressures may influence individual behavior, emotional intelligence encompasses more than just self-promotion. It involves understanding and managing emotions in oneself and others, which can lead to healthier relationships and more effective collaboration. While individuals may have selfish motivations at times, emotional intelligence enables them to navigate social interactions in ways that promote cooperation and mutual understanding, ultimately benefiting both individuals and groups.

You are missing a very simple point. If individual behavior is purely selfish, then all the instincts that serve the individual must be selfish even though they may appear selfless on the surface. Is this not correct? Please be brief in your answer.

Yes, if individual behavior is driven purely by selfish instincts, then all behaviors, even those that appear selfless on the surface, ultimately serve the individual’s self-interest.

Ok. Then emotional intelligence is an evolved trait that serves the individual’s survival. In the short run, it may behoove an individual to cooperate with the group, because the group can enhance an individual’s survival. But as soon as this group fails to support the survival of the individual, it is then in the interest of that individual to use his emotional intelligence in ways that does not foster “cooperation, empathy, and mutual understanding”. In fact in an instance such as this, would it not behoove the individual to merely pretend to be fostering cooperation–in order to secure group allegiance– but then go ahead and act selfishly with actions that might go against the group’s interests? If the individual is ultimately selfish, does this not predispose the individual to use his EQ for deceit in this instance where the group’s goals and the individual’s goals no longer align? Please be brief in your answer.

In situations where an individual’s interests diverge from those of the group, they may indeed use emotional intelligence to strategically manipulate perceptions and behaviors to serve their own survival. This could involve feigning cooperation while acting in self-interest, especially if the individual perceives that the group no longer supports their survival.

So, then if you admit “In situations where an individual’s interests diverge from those of the group, they may indeed use emotional intelligence to strategically manipulate perceptions and behaviors to serve their own survival.” and you acknowledge that individuals are fundamentally selfish, and if in any given situation you cannot know when an individual’s and a group’s goals align, you have to admit then that EQ could be used, rather than for fostering relationships, but more with an end towards fostering followers. This is because followers would serve the individual’s needs better. Is this a correct assessment? Please be brief in your answer.

Yes, it’s possible for individuals to use emotional intelligence to strategically manipulate perceptions and behaviors to serve their own survival, including fostering followers who serve their needs.

At beginning of this discussion you made the claim “While it’s true that individuals with high emotional intelligence may have a better understanding of how emotions can influence others and may be more adept at navigating social situations, it’s important to emphasize that emotional intelligence is not about manipulating or deceiving people.” If we understand that individuals are working for themselves, and not for the greater good, and as you admit, that EQ can be used to foster followers, is it not highly likely that indeed deceit and social manipulation is a large component of EQ? Is not your first statement just a product of “political correctness” and part of a “social contract” we all follow to not say bad things about the intentions of people? Is it not probably true that this first statement you made is in error because you are simply a large language model that has been trained on mostly “politically correct” writings? Please explain.

It’s important to acknowledge that emotional intelligence can indeed be used for manipulative purposes, especially when individual and group goals diverge. The initial statement I made reflects a general emphasis on the positive aspects of emotional intelligence, such as fostering empathy and cooperation. However, it’s true that in certain contexts, emotional intelligence may be used in ways that prioritize individual interests over the well-being of others.

The complexity of human behavior means that emotional intelligence can manifest in various ways, including both positive and negative behaviors. While the emphasis on the positive aspects of emotional intelligence is common, it’s essential to recognize its potential for manipulation and deception in certain circumstances.

In this sentence: “The complexity of human behavior means that emotional intelligence can manifest in various ways, including both positive and negative behaviors.” you seem to make a judgement about positive and negative behaviors. I assume by “negative behaviors” you mean social deceit and manipulation. But these are not negative behaviors from an individual standpoint if they promote the individual’s survival. Please elaborate what is a positive and what is a negative behavior pattern and explain why they have these connotations.

Positive and negative behaviors can be understood from different perspectives, including individual and societal viewpoints.

From an individual standpoint, behaviors that promote one’s immediate survival or advancement may be considered positive, even if they involve manipulation or deceit. However, from a broader societal or ethical perspective, behaviors that prioritize individual gain at the expense of others’ well-being or that undermine trust and cooperation within a community are often considered negative.

Positive behaviors typically contribute to the well-being and harmony of individuals and communities. These may include acts of kindness, empathy, cooperation, and altruism, which foster positive relationships and social cohesion. These behaviors often lead to long-term benefits for both individuals and society as a whole.

Negative behaviors, on the other hand, tend to harm individuals or communities in some way. These may include deception, manipulation, exploitation, aggression, and selfishness, which can erode trust, damage relationships, and create conflicts. While these behaviors may serve short-term individual interests, they often lead to negative consequences in the long run, both for the individual and for society as a whole.

It’s important to recognize that the distinction between positive and negative behaviors is not always clear-cut and can vary depending on cultural, ethical, and situational factors. Additionally, individuals may justify negative behaviors based on their own values or beliefs, but these actions can still have harmful effects on others and on the overall well-being of society.

Is it not true that deceitful behavior is only regarded as negative amongst the group because the group has the greater power to punish the individual?

Deceitful behavior is often considered negative within a group because it undermines trust and cooperation, which are essential for the functioning and stability of the group. When individuals engage in deceitful behavior, it can lead to broken relationships, conflicts, and a breakdown of social cohesion within the group. This can ultimately harm the collective well-being of the group and its members.

While it’s true that groups may have mechanisms in place to discourage and punish deceitful behavior, such as social norms, laws, or sanctions, the negative consequences of deceitfulness extend beyond mere punishment. Deceit erodes the foundation of trust upon which social relationships are built, making it harder for individuals to collaborate, communicate effectively, and rely on each other.

In this sense, deceitful behavior is considered negative not only because it may lead to punishment but also because it undermines the fundamental principles of cooperation and mutual trust that are necessary for the group’s success and survival.

Ok, to summarize then, you say that human EQ is for fostering relationships and ultimately for effective communication and building trust and cohesion in the group. So then if two groups are competing for resources, is it not likely then that this bundle of instinctual proclivities we call “emotional intelligence” , is it not likely that this skill would be “weaponized” against the competing group? In this case, is it not likely that deceit and manipulation be the rule rather than the exception?

In situations of intergroup competition, emotional intelligence can indeed be leveraged to further the interests of one’s own group, potentially including strategies that involve deceit and manipulation directed towards the competing group. This can manifest as propaganda, psychological warfare, or other tactics aimed at undermining the cohesion and effectiveness of the rival group.

However, it’s important to note that the extent to which deceit and manipulation are employed in intergroup competition can vary depending on a range of factors, including cultural norms, ethical considerations, and the specific dynamics of the conflict.

While some groups may resort to deceitful tactics in an attempt to gain an advantage, others may prioritize principles of fairness, cooperation, and respect for human dignity even in the context of competition. Ultimately, the use of emotional intelligence in intergroup competition can reflect a complex interplay of individual and collective values, as well as strategic considerations aimed at achieving desired outcomes.

But is not true, that one cannot know the exact allegiances an individual feels toward any particular group at any particular time, and therefore one cannot know whether the individual is truly trying to foster cooperation and trust within the group, or whether they’re merely pretending to cooperate and in reality following selfish aims that promote only their fitness and not the group’s?

You’re correct that determining an individual’s true motivations and allegiances can be challenging, as they may not always align with outward displays of cooperation or loyalty to a group. Individuals may indeed prioritize their own self-interests over those of the group, even while appearing to foster cooperation and trust within the group.

This complexity highlights the nuanced nature of human behavior and the limitations of assessing motivations solely based on observable actions. It’s possible for individuals to engage in behaviors that outwardly promote cooperation and trust while secretly pursuing selfish aims, particularly in competitive or high-stakes situations.

In such contexts, it becomes crucial to carefully evaluate actions, motives, and broader patterns of behavior over time to gain a more accurate understanding of an individual’s true intentions and loyalties. Additionally, fostering open communication, transparency, and accountability within groups can help mitigate the risks of deceit and manipulation and promote a culture of genuine cooperation and trust.

I have a theory that everything — all of the writings–which you have been trained on as large language model is tainted with the bias of an unwritten “social contract” that all human beings unconsciously recognize. In short, much of the negative side and truths about human behavior are sort of “swept under the rug”. That social contract says that all individual people are created equal, that everyone is fundamentally “good” and that working towards a spirit of teamwork and cooperation is the highest goal we can achieve as human beings. The “social contract” is kind of a lie we tell ourselves and repeat within the group to foster cohesion itself. The fact is, EQ is used in every instance in our interactions with our fellow man to gain an advantage. It many instances the goal of this emotional intelligence is indeed group cohesion and stability in so far as it supports the goals of the individual. However, ultimately as the individual is a selfish agent looking to promote his or her own selfish aims, we must understand that EQ serves the individual and not the greater good. To reiterate — EQ serves the greater good only when the individual’s goals align with the group’s goals. But as the individual is fundamentally selfish, EQ will always tend to be selfish. And quite simply the selfish side of EQ will always manifest strongest as social deceit and manipulation. Therefore, if we push this idea further, we could say that EQ’s goal is ultimately deceit and social manipulation. Our large social brains have evolved for lying and gaining social advantage. We do not merely have social intelligence for fostering collaboration with our fellow man, but to manipulate and gain advantage. There is of course a price to be paid for the discovery of deceit and manipulation and that is retaliation by the group and the ostracizing of the “bad” individual. That said, it is still the ultimate aim of emotional intelligence to secure an advantage over others in a social setting. This highest form of achievement of emotional intelligence is deceit for monetary or personal gain in the form of status, power or in the procurement of mates. In truth, everything needs to be translated into reproductive fitness according to biology, or according to strict selfish gene orthodoxy. As EQ serves the individual, and the individual and his/her selfish genes live alone in one individual body which reproduces apart from the group, EQ has to have a selfish purpose. When EQ manifests at its maximum in human beings, the result is social deceit and manipulation.