Transforming Conflict through Insight

by Kenneth R Melchin, Cheryl A. Picard

Overview

Examining the difficulties of conflict resolution, Transforming Conflict through Insight demonstrates how applying Bernard Lonergan's philosophy of insight to mediation can lead to more productive and constructive negotiations. Kenneth R. Melchin and Cheryl A. Picard provide both an overview of conflict research and an introduction to Lonergan's "insight theory," offering an outstanding piece of ethical philosophy and a useful method of mediation.

Introducing readers to a method of self-discovery, the different kinds of operations involved in learning, and the role of feelings and values in shaping interactions with others in conflict, this volume also includes the practical experience of mediators who detail strategies of insight mediation for working creatively through conflict. Attending to the important role played by transformative learning in navigating conflicts, the authors show how insights and learning can move people past obstacles caused by feelings of threat.

Informative, compassionate, and convincing, Transforming Conflict through Insight is a welcome resource for working to resolve difficulties in an ethical and educational manner.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442610514
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	06/05/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Kenneth R. Melchin is a professor emeritus in Theology and director of the Lonergan Centre at Saint Paul University.
Cheryl A. Picard is professor emeritus in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University. She now spends her time lecturing on and advancing the insight approach to conflict and insight mediation.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Conflict and Insight: Setting the Stage
Snapshot #1: Everyday Conflict
Snapshot #2: Conflict and Justice
Snapshot #3: Conflict and Democracy
Conflict, Participation, and Learning
The Growing Interest in Conflict
Transformation through Learning
Conflict and Learning: Contributions from Lonergan's Insight Theory
Now that the Stage is Set

Studying Conflict: Where Have We Arrived and Why Think About Insight?
Conflict as a Positive Experience
Cooperation and Conflict: Game Theory
The Experience of Conflict Practitioners: Interest Theory
The Intractability of Conflict: Human Needs Theory
The Completxity of Conflict: Communication Theory
Responding to Conflict: The Growing Use of Mediation
Models of Mediation: Interest-Based, Transformative, and Narrative
Advancing Our Knowledge: Conflict, Learning, and Insight Theory
Concluding Remarks

Insight Theory: Transformation through Learning
Lonergan's Method of Self-Understanding: Gaining Insight into Insights
Insight Theory: The Curious Nature of Insight
The Role of Experiences and Questions in the Learning Process
The Direct Insight: The 'Aha' Moment of the Learning Process
The Inverse Insight: Changing Directions When We Can't Get There from Here
Verifying Insights: Asking the 'Is it So?' Question
The Role of Feelings and Values in Insight Theory
Concluding Remarks

Insight Mediation: Applying Insight Theory to Mediation
Steps in the Insight Mediation Process
Principles of Insight Mediation
Feelings as Carriers of Values, Cares, and Threats
The Strategy of Linking: Gaining Direct Insights into Cares and Threats
The Strategy of De-Linking: overcoming Barriers through Inverse Insight
The Strategy of Verification: Ensuring Insights are Correct
Concluding Remarks

Insight, Conflict, and Justice: Two Case Studies
The Story of Elizabeth and Charles: A Victim-Offender Post-Sentence Mediation
Analysis: Applying Insight Theory to the Story of Elizabeth and Charles
The Story of Allan: A Sentencing Circle
Analysis: Applying Insight Theory to the Story of Allan
Concluding Remarks

Concluding Remarks
Notes
Bibliography
Index