During the associated thread, there references to potentially destructive
competition/conflict. I mulled this problem over for a couple of days and
decided to share my thoughts.
It seems that you should be able to assess what the competition is about. So,
that means making a few distinctions within the competition category itself.
The questions I asked myself were:
"What are the different types of competition?" and "What is at stake that make
competition so important?"
My identified types of competition include:
Competition over ideas/ideals
Competition for autonomy
Competition against standards
Competition over status
Competition over personalities
Competition over resources
Competition over territory/turf
Although I have probably over-look a few types, I hope these have covered the
major sub-categories fairly well. And, looking at these in print, it occurs to
me that some of my types unintentionally (?) but roughly correspond to the
different levels in Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Motivation. Although this
observation leads me to make some rather interesting connections, I will have to
mull it over again.
The second question "What is at stake that make competition so important?" lead
me to the concept of predominance.
I believe that people and their social institutions can receive enormous
benefits from being in the position of predominance. Although most of these
benefits are psychological advantages, they could translate into the
physiological advantages as well.
Still, no one likes to take on the 800 lb. gorilla, so the gorilla gets to do
pretty much as it pleases until a challenger arrives on the scene. If it were
not for the first three types--ideas, autonomy, and standards; I would be forced
to admit the list smacks of Social Darwinism--but I have a strong affinity for
Plato, so I am glad that I justify including the first two types as well.
Although I have more to say on the subject of conflict--particularly
cooperation--I want see what you folks think.
Note: My web address
http://home.att.net/~Choragus
__________________________________
Great Optimism,
Dutch Driver
Abilene, TX 79605
mailto:
AskChoragus@yada-yada.com