Visions in Conflict: International Perspectives on Values and Enmity - Paperback

by Brian C. Alston (Author)

A conflict in visions stands at the center of major international and national crises in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or elsewhere. Whether in mass killing, genocide, or intractable conflict, ideology is usually present and plays important role. By ideology (political, religious, economic, social, or some other) is meant visions of social arrangements and human relations that provide meaning and hope for a group. Such ideologies can identify others as enemies who stand in the way of their fulfillment. The present volume contains essays written by authors from around the world on powerful vehicles of conflict resolution-namely, religion, psychology, education and training, psychotherapy, and sports. It is our sincere hope that these essays shed light on the process of peace and reconciliation.

Author Biography

With a Bachelors of Arts from Amherst College, M.A. from Hartford Seminary, and STM from Boston University Mr. Alston is a master's-level clinician with over 20 years' experience, a former insurance salesmen with Prudential, financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, and currently college professor who teaches in the areas of ethics, Neurotheology, philosophy, psychology, and religion. He has pioneered and published work in the disciplines of Relationship Literacy, international peace and conflict resolution (Visions in conflict series) and Neurotheology (science and beliefs). Since 2009 Mr. Alston is the small business owner of Green Hawaii Conferences focused on helping the Islands of Hawaii become more sustainable. This local effort in sustainability connects to a larger effort to build healthy sustainable communities in the US and around the world with his serving as General Secretary to the Humanitarian Sustainability Initiative - a team of professionals from more than a dozen countries centered to address entrenched humanitarian crises with sustainable solutions.