Conflict is a positive force distinct from mere indifference

Evidence

Conflict itself resolves the tension between contrasts. The fact that it aims at peace is only one, an especially obvious, expression of its nature: the synthesis of elements that work both against and for one another. This nature appears more clearly when it is realized that both forms of relation—the antithetical and the convergent—are fundamentally distinguished from the mere indifference of two or more individuals or groups. Whether it implies the rejection or the termination of sociation, indifference is purely negative. In contrast to such pure negativity, conflict contains something positive. Its positive and negative aspects, however, are integrated; they can be separated conceptually, but not empirically. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 276

Categorization

• DEFINE: Establishes conflict as positive sociation vs. indifference as purely negative — a conceptual definition central to the reader’s theoretical framework.
• XREF: connects to: The city’s indifference is a virtue rather than a defect — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 5; Conflicts and problems serve life independently of ever being solved — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 868; Irreconcilable conflict gives society its texture, durability, and resilience — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 93 (+8 more)

Related

• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group (similarity 0.86)
• Irreconcilable conflict gives society its texture, durability, and resilience (similarity 0.85)
• The firmly grounded relation dares conflict while weak ones avoid it (similarity 0.82)
• Conflicts and problems serve life independently of ever being solved (similarity 0.81)
• Urban tolerance is tempered with an acceptance of conflict and pain (similarity 0.81)
• Simmel’s conflicts are mostly productive rather than tragic (similarity 0.80)
• The most unconditional conflicts rest on the strictest shared norms (similarity 0.79)
• Purpose-driven conflict can be substituted but feeling-driven conflict cannot (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group #expands (0.60) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280
• Silence is a positive presence rather than mere absence #exemplifies (0.60) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 1294
• Purpose-driven conflict can be substituted but feeling-driven conflict cannot #qualifies (0.55) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 298
• The firmly grounded relation dares conflict while weak ones avoid it #expands (0.55) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 319
• War-weariness reduces metropolitan populations to apathetic indifference toward colonial conflicts #contradicts (0.50) — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1537
• Expensive war-fleet dominance deterred conflict and produced relative peace #complicates (0.45) — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 395