Name: Lee Hui Juen Student ID: B1003117 Group: Ha07, Wednesday class

STRATEGIES IN RESOLVING CONFLICTS Fundamental values of ethics and social philosophy give rise to tensions or tense situations. How do we resolve such tensions rationally? To deal with conflicts, many strategies have been proposed by moral philosophers and psychologists whom are more concerned with resolutions for spiritual conflicts, internal conflicts and intrapersonal conflicts, and sociologists who are more knowledgeable in dealing in groups and individual. Below are the five strategies in this chapter. 1. Value Analysis Strategy This particular strategy was introduced by J.R. Fraenkel and Coomb to resolve dilemma of moral conflict, which later has two approaches, the Fraenkel Approach and the Coomb Approach. One thing in common between these two approaches is they both deal with conflicts analytically based on facts research. This includes the study of pros and cons of actions and the ability to think rationally and logically about the facts. True, this strategy can also be used to solve complex matters since it emphasis strongly on the dimension of moral reasoning, emotions and behavior. Based on Fraenkel Approach, one must determine what the dilemma is; go on with the alternatives actions and the likely effects of the action. What more, what are the results that can be obtained from those effects, given by the proofs, and which is a better result plus what is the criteria for the choice. Then, a decision can be made. 2. Cognitive Moral Development This strategy was introduced by the psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg and he formulated a three level sequential arrangement. He also said that different conflicts can be solved depending on which stage or level u is. Each level which consists of two stages. The first was the pre-conventional level where children usually behave well and responds to what society expects. The first two stages of this level are oriented towards obedience to higher power, and towards actions that satisfy own needs and needs of others. The next is conventional level which whereby children tend to behave and thinks the same way. They try to adapt themselves in the family and meet familys hopes. They also start to look from different views of others in a group and consider them as equal. The third and forth stage of this level

says children are to the good boy-good girl image and behaviors which makes other people pleased and happy, in conjunction earning respect through good behavior. Lastly, in the post conventional level, their character start to shift towards autonomous moral principle that are legal, learn to compromise, think logically, universal and take a right action based on self-commitment towards moral principle. All these stages were actually determined one of the concept named motive given for moral action. A simple example is that a person cannot simply choose to end another persons life just because she thinks that it will reduce the other persons pain. What about the persons family? What and how will they feel? This consideration of the feelings of the persons family and the empathy place us in stage 3. 3. Strategy of Hierarchy Building First question that one must consider in this strategy is Which is more important to achieve? then a specific ranking is formed from the most to the least important. Implication from this hierarchy is what is more important should be achieved at any situation even at the expense of the least important one, the lower value. In abstract terms, it is assumed that two or more values cannot be achieved together. Another important query is what that criterion might be. Let say, human 1 and human 2 works as a car mechanic as it is both their ambition. But theres a difference between them human 1 has been send for training and has 10 years working experience while human 2 has not been trained and only has 3 years of working experience. When asked to figure out what was the problem with a broke down car, human 1 could figure it out in a nick of time. This shows that human 1 is more encompassing than human 2. Thus, a person is said to be better if her/his actions does not only contain one desired value, but more than one. Not only that, concept of hierarchy is used to reflect someone based on his/her experience and who has the highest positive values. Sides, if the concept of fundamental value is not realized, then another less fundamental value cannot be realized. However, if the less important one cant be realized, the more important one can still be realized. 4. The strategy of Dissolution What is meant by dissolution? It means that something gradually disappears or breaking up or ends an agreement or fight. This strategy is used when the hierarchy strategy is no more effective and difficult to carry out. Antagonistic parties, they dont trust each other. Thus using this strategy, a third alternative is used whereby the enemies can not trust each other but however, still have to continue working together but with proper safeguards to ensure both sides performs up to each others expectations. Overall, actually the basis of this strategy is the development of alternatives that avoid the problem. For instance, if the present circumstances still cause a fight, then change the circumstance to avoid any

conflict. Other than that, material level wise, if a party has higher technological facilities, they can simply just achieve what they want without even have to work with another party and create more alternatives themselves. While at personal level, if one is more flexible, then this strategy can be carried out very easily. There are times where this strategy has a limit. It cannot be used to solve certain cases, especially when it relates to government power. By then, one has to abide by the law and rules of the higher power one which is the government. 5. The Strategy of Compromise When hierarchy building approach dont seem to work, and dissolution is inappropriate, the last strategy which is compromise is used. Well, the word compromise speaks everything. An example, Hachi requested his mother to get him a new remote-controlled car and a new transformer. But his mother insisted him to make a choice, if he wants a transformer, he has to give up on the car. But she will then give him an ice-cream treat to prevent him from being upset. And vice versa. In the end, Hachi decided that he would much prefer the car. So he had to foregone the next best alternative which is the transformer. That was a simple real life example that can reflect what compromising is, shown by Hachi and his mother. To achieve a goal by two parties, both have to give in and out and compromise with each other in order to do so. This strategy also makes a few presuppositions which is it assumes that a freedom or right can be stated in degrees even if not fully, no rational hierarchy is available, means we cannot apply the hierarchy ranked, that everyone must be treated equally, and lastly tension between values can never be dissolved when theres no reason to agree with an agreement that would mean accepting less.

In conclusion, because of the presuppositions, strategy of compromise is used, when it is so sure that the hierarchy and dissolution strategies cannot resolve the conflict. The above are the summarization of what I understand from the strategies in resolving conflicts.