[From Rick Marken (2008.08.25.2320)]
I changed the subject line because there are two topics being
conflated into this thread. I jsut want to work out the discussion of
what I would call "conflict resolution".
Bill Powers (2008.08.25.1223 MDT)--
Being in conflict is not pleasant. Normally the unpleasantness leads to
reorganization and terminates the conflict. That's no problem. It becomes a
problem when you get your awareness stuck in the conflict itself and
reorganize the way you are pushing back instead of your reasons for pushing
back: when you reorganize at the wrong level.That's what I'm trying to write to Rick about (and learning a bit more every
time I try). When you stay at the level of the conflict, where the pushing
and the pushing back are happening, all you can do is make it more intense.
Something in you has to step back and say "Wait a minute, this is a conflict
and I'm just making it worse.
My main experience with that kind of conflict (and conflict
resolution) comes from writing papers on PCT. I push (writing the
paper) and the reviewers push back (rejecting it). I know I'm in a
conflict and I have a pretty good idea why. I think I know the answers
to all those questions above. I'm not sure knowing the answers has
helped much; I usually just stop pushing eventually (and start
preparing the next push), if that's what you mean. Conflicts like that
can be a bit stressful but they are not particularly distressing. It's
like racquetball -- it's a conflict I enjoy and that seems to have
nice side effects (better papers in one case; bigger muscles in the
other;-)
There isn't anything deep or mysterious or magical about the method of
levels. That's what I've been trying to work around to saying, with the help
of Rick's skepticism and your clarifications and occasional slips. Trying to
resolve the conflict at the level where it's expressed just doesn't work.
Actually, in the two conflicts I mentioned (publishing papers and
playing racquetball) my goal isn't to resolve them; it's to win them.
My win percentage is probably a bit higher in racquetball than in
publishing but I enjoy both and when I lose I enjoy that too if I know
I've fought the good fight.
Somebody has to look at why those reference conditions were set as they are
in the first place. Otherwise the conflict will just drag on and on.
I know why both the conflict producing references for publishing and
racquetball are set. And, indeed, they are easily revised. So the
conflicts don't usually drag on. Is this what going up a level is;
realizing why you are in the conflict and just deciding to give it a
rest for now? If so, then the same applies to political conflicts; I
know why I get into them and when I see that I am getting nowhere I
just drop it for the time being.
When
Rick really gets what I am talking about, he is going to blow his mind.
Right, Rick?
Well, my mind is not blown yet so I must still not get what you're
talking about. Can't you just talk about what you're talking about?
How about giving an example of what you mean using the conflict
between PCT and conventional psychology as an example.
Best
Rick
···
--
Richard S. Marken PhD
rsmarken@gmail.com