At the beginning of the twentieth century, as psychologists discovered ways and means to measure intelligence, Aristotle’s definition of a man as ‘a rational animal’ developed into an obsession with IQ. In the mid-1990s, Daniel Goleman popularized research into emotional intelligence, EQ, pointing out that EQ is a basic requirement for the appropriate use of IQ. As we near the end of the twentieth century, there is enough collective evidence from psychology, neurology, anthropology and cognitive science to show us that there is a third ‘Q’, ‘SQ’, or Spiritual Intelligence.

Unlike IQ, which computers have, and EQ, which exists in higher mammals, SQ is uniquely human and, the authors argue, the most fundamental of the three. It is linked to humanity’s need for meaning, an issue very much at the forefront of people’s minds as the century draws to a close. SQ is what we use to develop our longing and capacity for meaning, vision and value. It allows us to dream and to strive. It underlies the things we believe in and the role our beliefs and values play in the actions that we take and the shape we give to our lives. This book goes on to explore the scientific evidence for SQ, shows how to test for SQ and how to improve and develop it.