How to End Conflict

Discussion
Question
I think was Einstein means is that when we create problems we are thinking in a certain way, at a certain level. If we try to solve problems by thinking in the same way or at the same level, it is not going to work. It would just be the definition of insanity all over again—doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The fact is that if we want to solve the problems we create, we have to do something different than what got us in the problem in the first place. As Chapter 6 (n.d.) shows, people who want to settle religious differences by violence are trying to solve the problem in the same way it started, which was through violence. And as Huntington (1993) points out, the clash of civilizations is coming: it will be focused on culture and nothing else. Culture is the main thing that divides us—but fighting it out will not solve it. Culture grows over time and the best way to settle the coming clash will be to exercise patience and put the golden rule to use. I think this is applicable to global conflicts today. The global culture is emerging—and the goal should be peace rather than war—but not a political peace; rather it should be a spiritual peace, supported by cultural agreement.
Response One
I imagine that what you mean is that emotions tend to escalate conflict while research and study can be used to solve the problems of conflict. I would agree with this. I tend to think people today are too emotional about most things and just give a knee-jerk response to whatever happens instead of calmly and rationally thinking it through. However, I am not sure that study is going to solve the problems of the world. It can surely help. Studying other cultures can allows us to understand and reflect on them, to be more empathetic and appreciative. I think we also need to be more spiritual about the situation. We could definitely engage in more prayer and put to use the golden rule more frequently. I think all of these things would help to end conflict.
Response Two
I agree that people have knee-jerk reactions and that this a big problem, but I think we can have knee-jerk reactions and not even realize that is what we are doing. Everyone has a bias and unconscious bias can go unnoticed for a long time. If we are all holding onto our unconscious biases then conflict is just going to continue. The problem that arises from holding onto biases is that it leads to judgments and our goal should not be to judge or condemn others but to show love, mercy, charity, compassion and forgiveness when it is needed. That is the only way we will be able to use a new way to address the old problems. The new way of course is the Christian way and it is not an easy way to follow, which is why so few actually do it.

References
Chapter 6. (n.d.). Digital File.
Huntington, S. P. (1993). The clash of civilizations. Foreign Affairs.