[theorique]

Can cognitive intelligence be proved to exist?

The thing that we call IQ (or g) is a set of cognitive abilities in pattern recognition, problem solving, puzzles, symbol manipulation, and so forth. Insofar as "something" is measured by these kinds of tests, then IQ/g can be said to exist.

Similarly, the set of traits and behaviors collected under the umbrella of "emotional intelligence" are a grab bag of self-regulation, resilience, emotional self-control, insight into one's own mind, ability to form a working model of the emotions of others, ability to "read" the emotions of others, and so forth. These are less well defined than the abilities grouped under IQ/g but insofar as they could be measured through well-designed tests, then emotional intelligence can be said to exist.

Alternatively, there could be a functional or "effectiveness based" definition of emotional intelligence, even if it were less quantitative than IQ/g.