Defining Conflict

Today's discussion on conflict was interesting. Attempting to define concepts as abstract as "conflict" or "peace" is a little frustrating - for every concrete 'rule' you try to apply to define the line there are a dozen exceptions or more. But there were some thought-provoking ideas brought to the table, and I would like to explore a little further.

Like Brock-Utne says in the "Women in Peace: What Peace Means to Women" reading, concepts like peace are most easily defined by what they are not. Peace is the absence of conflict. Conflict is a little easier to define by examples - conflict is war, violence, argument, disagreement. But the line is blurry. Like we talked about in class; are sports conflict? What is that distinction?

I don't know. To me, conflict has a strong base in the personal and emotional. Sports themselves are not conflicts, but conflict often arises from them. My extended family playing football in the yard on Christmas is not conflict. I don't think I would even call the "rivalry" between my cousin and uncle a conflict. They are competitive, but it's all talk, and at the end of the day we are equally wet and cold - winners and losers!

Conflict is based on interaction. So If only one person thinks there is conflict, is there conflict? The thought is not enough to be conflict. However, it is rare that that sort of notion does not effect the nature of interaction between the involved parties. Within that interaction is the conflict. Other than intrapersonal or internal conflict, one person alone cannot create conflict. Conflict is relational. Do both parties involved need to acknowledge the conflict? No. As long as there is interaction that is confrontational in some capacity I would say it could be conflict (and perhaps the latent factor we discussed - conflict seen from the outside - comes into play here).

Again, I really have no idea what I am talking about yet. I look forward to being able to have an actual educated opinion on these matters and how they relate to gender.

-Sara