Let's take a look at the source of conflict, and they come in rational and irrational forms. Let's start with the rational. And the first of them is need. When we have a need, we driven to satisfy that need, and we will do what it takes. Therefore, conflict arises when our doing what it takes to satisfy our own needs, impinges on the needs of others. And the other rational source of conflict is rights.
When you believe you have rights, and you assert your rights, and in asserting your rights, you in some way restrict the rights of others, that becomes a source of conflict. And that's just the rational ones. Now We get on to irrational sources of conflict. And the first of these is fear. Fear is arguably the strongest emotion, it's stronger even than love. And we know how much love can be a source of conflict.
And conflict arises when fear drives us to either take something away from someone else, or impinge upon their rights. The other emotional source of conflict is respect. I don't want to dwell on respect, because respect is kind of like a social glue. It's what gives us the confidence to interact with other people successfully and build relationships. And therefore respect can be a very powerful driver for conflict. And the first instance, I suppose, is when we have too much respect for other people and not enough respect for ourselves that drive An inner conflict and that's outside of the parameters for this program.
The other is when we have too much respect for ourselves and not enough respect for the people around us. And that becomes a major source of conflict. So, there we have it. Some of the major sources of conflict are, firstly needs and our desires satisfy them. And secondly, rights and our desire to exert them. Fear as an example of a particularly strong emotion, we also mentioned love and finally respect too much respect for yourself, and you're likely to assert yourself over others, seizing what they need, and impinging on their rights.
Too much respect for others and not enough respect for yourself will lead to enter conflict as I say, that's for another course. We're gonna focus on how too much respect for yourself can lead to extra conflict.