"Is conflict always evil?"
Simon asked. In the club room, just three people.
"I think it is evil," Ren answered immediately. "Violence should be avoided."
Mio quietly closed her book. Listening.
"Then, conflict for justice?" Simon continued.
"Justice?" Ren doubted. "Whose justice?"
"Sharp. Both sides claim justice."
"So conflict is futile."
Simon objected. "Aquinas taught 'just war theory.'"
"Just war?"
"Just cause, just authority, just means. If these are met, conflict is permitted."
Ren shook his head. "But who judges? What is just?"
"Difficult problem," Simon acknowledged. "That is why debate continues."
Mio spoke. "...Self-defense?"
The two were surprised. Mio speaking is rare.
"Conflict for self-defense?" Ren asked back.
Mio nodded slightly.
"I think that is justified," Simon answered. "Kant also recognized the state's right to self-defense."
"But," Ren objected, "invasion is justified in the name of self-defense."
"That risk exists."
"So how to draw the line?"
Simon thought. "Principle of proportionality. Only minimum necessary force."
"Who measures?"
"International law, public opinion, conscience."
Ren laughed. "Vague."
"Ethics is vague," Simon said seriously. "Cannot be determined mathematically."
Mio spoke again. "...Fight with words?"
"Fight of words?" Ren understood. "Argument, debate."
"That is also conflict," Simon nodded. "Called agon."
"Agon?"
"Ancient Greek concept. Competition, struggle. But with words or skills, not violence."
Ren showed interest. "Constructive conflict?"
"Yes. Hegel proposed 'dialectic.' From opposition of thesis and antithesis, synthesis is born."
"Opposition creates progress?"
"In a sense. Without debate, truth does not deepen."
Ren thought. "So opposition itself is not evil?"
"Depends on form," Simon answered. "Violent opposition is evil. Intellectual opposition is good."
"Can clearly separate?"
"No, there is a gray zone."
Mio said quietly. "...Inner conflict."
The two paid attention.
"Conflict with oneself?" Ren asked.
Mio nodded.
Simon smiled. "That may be the most important conflict."
"Internal struggle," Ren understood.
"In Buddhism, conflict with desires. In Stoicism, conflict with passions."
"Self-control?"
"Yes. Nietzsche taught 'self-overcoming.'"
Ren objected. "But should that be called conflict? Is it not effort?"
"A matter of words," Simon acknowledged. "But there is a structure of opposition. Between current self and ideal self."
"Internal opposition."
Mio opened her book. Pointed to a page.
Simon read. "'The greatest enemy is oneself.'"
"Whose words?" Ren asked.
"Cicero."
Ren took a deep breath. "So conflict is inevitable?"
"Opposition is inherent in humans," Simon answered. "Reason and emotion, desire and conscience."
"Harmonizing them is life?"
"Freud would say so. Conflict between superego and id."
Mio said quietly. "...Choice not to fight."
"Not fight?"
"Not fleeing, but accepting."
Simon was impressed. "Laozi's 'wu wei.'"
"Wu wei?"
"Not doing nothing. Following nature. Not competing."
Ren thought. "But against injustice?"
"That is difficult," Simon acknowledged. "Complete non-resistance means permitting evil."
"So what to do?"
Mio answered. "...Only when necessary."
"Minimum resistance?" Ren understood.
"Yes. Martin Luther King Jr. also taught nonviolent resistance."
"Resist but do not use violence."
"Fight with moral force."
Ren summarized. "Conflict depends on form and purpose."
"If violent and selfish, evil. If nonviolent and for justice, sometimes permitted."
Mio smiled slightly. Sign of agreement.
Simon looked at the window. "Complete peace is an ideal. But in reality, opposition exists."
"So how to fight is important," Ren said.
"Constructively. With minimum harm. For just purpose."
Mio stood up. Headed for the door.
Turned around, one word.
"...Dialogue is also conflict."
Left.
The two looked at each other.
"Deep," Ren murmured.
"Dialogue is the most peaceful conflict," Simon smiled. "But remains conflict nonetheless."
"Opposition of opinions, struggle toward understanding."
"Yes. But from that, truth is born."
The two sat quietly.
Conflict may be the human condition.
But how to fight is choosable.
That is human dignity.