Open AccessFrom Positionality to Relationality: A Buddhist-Oriented Relational View of Conflict Escalation and its Transformation
Author(s) -
Ran Kuttner
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
peace and conflict studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.116
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 1082-7307
DOI - 10.46743/1082-7307/2013.1144
Subject(s) - buddhism , conflict transformation , buddhist philosophy , scholarship , conflict resolution , mindfulness , value (mathematics) , epistemology , relational view , relational theory , psychology , social psychology , sociology , political science , social science , knowledge management , computer science , psychotherapist , law , philosophy , theology , machine learning , physics , quantum mechanics
Through a theoretical analysis, this paper suggests that the Buddhist philosophy and psychology offer a unique contribution to our understanding of conflict escalation and the potential for its transformation from a relational point of view. In particular, it presents an in-depth analysis of conflict escalation, applying the Buddhist Four Noble Truths and Twelve Links models. With the help of these models, it analyzes the psychological process that invokes the escalation of conflict, resulting in what is considered “suffering” (Duhkha) in Buddhist thought, seen also as lack of relational awareness. The paper demonstrates how a Buddhist-oriented view of conflict adds value to current scholarship of relational conflict resolution and has the potential to help conflict specialists transform adversity into dialogue. Furthermore, it argues that the suggested framework can help scholars and practitioners who implement Mindfulness practices into ADR processes assist disputants cultivate relational awareness.