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Evolutionary theory holds that our ability to sense when we should be suspicious has been every bit as essential for human survival as our capacity for trust and cooperation.
Daniel Goleman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Our instincts to be suspicious are crucial for survival, just like our ability to trust others.

In this quote, Daniel Goleman emphasizes the dual nature of human perception and social interaction, arguing that both suspicion and trust are vital for our evolution and survival as a species. The ability to discern potential threats while fostering cooperation with others has been key to our development, highlighting the importance of balancing these instincts in our relationships and decision-making processes.

Themes

EvolutionSuspicionTrustCooperationSurvival

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a discussion about human psychology in a psychology class.

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