Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Everybody know IQ - the intelligence quotient of comprehending logical decisions- but EQ matters just as much, maybe even more when it comes to social interactions
In 2018 “the Moral Machine experiment“ was conducted in which people from various nations were presented with multiple scenarios.
One of them was about saving individuals from different social groups from a self-driving car. Take a child and a politician for example. Imagine the kid crossing the street out of nowhere and an important politician on the other lane. This way it is impossible for you to swerve without hurting at least one of them.
Before I tell you what the findings of this experiment were, think about what you consider “fair/ ethically correct?”
It was found that many factors play an important role when it comes to making decisions that impact other people‘s lives strongly. A lot of different thoughts were exchange like if cars should even be programmed to prefer lives in a way.
- Global Preferences:
- Across most countries, participants prioritized saving the child over the politician, reflecting the tendency to protect the young due to their perceived innocence and potential for the future.
- Politicians were generally ranked lower in importance compared to doctors or children, likely due to mistrust or skepticism about their societal contributions.
2. Cultural Differences:
- In collectivist societies (e.g., Japan, South Korea), the individual's societal role sometimes influenced decisions more than in individualist societies.
- Western countries more often prioritized young individuals regardless of their roles.
3. Ethical Implications for Programming Cars:
- This scenario raised concerns about whether cars should be programmed to prioritize certain societal roles or values.
- The question remains whether programming such preferences is ethical or if all lives should be treated equally.
Misconception: EQ is “soft & unsophisticated”
Emotional intelligence is often overlooked next to its way more popular brother IQ. High EQ Individuals often excel in subtle, behind-the-scenes skills like empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. These contributions may