The history and evolution of the concept of ie

Ancient Roots, Modern Term

Although the interest in understanding and managing human emotions is as old as philosophy itself, with thinkers such as Aristotle already exploring the role of passions in a virtuous life, The term "Emotional Intelligence" as a scientific concept is surprisingly recent.

The formal academic foundations were laid in 1990, when two visionary psychologists, Peter Salovey and John Mayer, coined the term in a landmark article.

They defined it as a specific form of social intelligence, one that encompassed the ability to monitor feelings and emotions, both one's own and others', to discriminate between them, and to use this valuable information to guide thinking and actions effectively.

The Goleman Explosion

Despite its academic importance, the concept remained in relatively closed circles until the 1995 publication of the book "Emotional Intelligence" by psychologist and science journalist Daniel Goleman catapulted it into global consciousness.

Goleman, with his Harvard training and platform at The New York Times, had the unique ability to translate these complex ideas into language that is accessible and relevant to the general public.

His work not only popularized the term, but also presented a provocative thesis: that EI could be an even more powerful predictor of life success than the traditional Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

An Expansion Without Borders

Goleman initially focused much of his analysis on the business world, arguing that leadership, teamwork, and personnel management skills were, in essence, manifestations of high emotional intelligence.

However, since the publication of his seminal work, the field has exploded in every imaginable direction.

Today, the principles of emotional intelligence are applied to virtually every aspect of the human experience: from childrearing and education, seeking to foster empathy and self-regulation from an early age, to romantic relationships, personal well-being, health management, and athletic performance.

What began As an academic concept, it has become a fundamental tool for navigating the complexity of life in the 21st century.