Conflict

How do you feel when you think about conflict?

Most people don't feel good. Why do most fear conflict? Why do most believe it is negative?

Two individuals from U.S. history have a different perspective:

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph." said Thomas Paine.

"No great advance has ever been made in science, politics, or religion, without controversy." said Lyman Beecher.

One more quotation for your consideration:
“Research studies in diverse settings confirm the functionality of conflict. Consider the following findings. A comparison of six major decisions during the administrations of four U.S. presidents found that conflict reduced the chance that group think would overpower policy decisions. The comparisons demonstrated that conformity among presidential advisers was related to poor decisions, while an atmosphere of constructive conflict and critical thinking surrounded the well-developed decisions.” (Janis, I.L. "Victims of Groupthink." Boston: Houghton Mifflin) (176)

What do you think?