On Conflict
January 5, 2014
Mark H. Levin

There are 3 perspectives on any situation: the self, the other, and the third party who views the events as an objective "outsider." (The protagonist, the antagonist and the observer) What does one do when those 3 personages conflict? 
Internal to a single person, the self may feel hurt; while the empathic self may feel the pain of and appreciate the perspective of the "other;" and the objective, third-party self may understand the human tragedy of the entire situation. So often these conflicts seem irresolvable, except when the parties simply decide to abandon their first-self interest to serve a higher goal.
The current cultural climate of individualism and putting the self first does not serve to further such harmony because the other two selves are not assigned credibility. Where parties are in irreconcilable conflict, only goodwill and dedication to the greater good can overcome the hurt and achieve a higher, more moral outcome. Such results require dedication to goals more ultimate than the welfare of the first-self, a concept I fear is hardly ever taught in these individualistic times.
Even love is taught as self-serving, claiming the reward of personal satisfaction. But perhaps love should be viewed, as Eric Fromm wrote, as serving the other for that person's greater good and the welfare of both parties together, rather than the individual.