Defining Conflict and Analyzing its Cause

Conflict can be basically defined as a:

Ø Disagreement 

Ø Difference of opinion

Ø Clash of interests

The question may here be asked: ‘What causes difference of opinion?’

Likely answers that immediately come to mind are:  

             

                 Different

Ø Beliefs

Ø Values,

Ø Mind-Sets

Ø Attitudes 

Ø Upbringing

Ø Ways of Thinking

However, deeper reflection reveals that all of the above stem from one primary cause: 

As actual existents - that is, as against the mere concept of Man – read Human Beings! - we are all and will always be individuals, or separate centers of thought, beliefs, values, mind-sets,  attitudes and upbringing; and so it is very natural that we are likely to differ in our views. As Gandhi would put it, our individual grasp of the truth of any matter is, as a rule, but relative.¹          

Thus, we cannot wholly rule out the possibility of conflict - seen as difference of opinion - at every level of human interaction, be it personal, professional, political, regional, national and international. Even in a very intimate relationship of love and marriage, there will be a difference of views.

In other words, since human beings will always be different, unique, individuals,

                                      Conflict is Natural and Inevitable

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