For it is good to have medicine, better to know how it works, but best to know what conditions it can treat. Then we need to diagnose these conditions, which requires adequate tools. Some disputes involve little conflict. Others are symptomatic of deep conflict. Although disputes and conflict often occur together, they are different phenomena.
Conflict is defined primarily by a general state of negative feelings.
Disputes are primarily about specific contested facts. And disputes over facts can be dealt with through a dispute resolution process, whether it be non-adversarial mediation or adversarial litigation Adversarial litigation can safeguard the liberty of a person who is wrongly accused. An adjudicator considers arguments from both sides, imposes a judgement, and declares the dispute resolved. But adversarial litigation has many costs. It is as if 'Dalmatian' had come to refer to all dogs, not just the spotted ones.