Final answer:
Ego conflict is a situation that involves tension and friction within interpersonal relationships due to clashing egos. It is particularly challenging to resolve and can be very damaging to relationships. The correct answer to the question is that ego conflict is damaging to relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ego conflict occurs when two or more individuals' egos are clashing, often causing tension and friction within interpersonal relationships. It is not considered a form of simple conflict and can be quite challenging to resolve because it involves personal feelings, pride, and deep-rooted beliefs. Ego conflict can potentially be very damaging to relationships, as it usually involves individuals holding onto their perspectives rigidly, making it difficult to reach a compromise or mutual understanding.
In relation to ethical egoism, which suggests that individuals should act in their own self-interest, ego conflicts arise as individuals' self-interested actions may come into conflict with one another. For example, if addressing the ethical question of whether it is moral to harm another for personal gain, such as the hypothetical scenario of killing a grandfather to prevent being disinherited, we can see how this could lead to an ethical conflict that is not easy to regulate or resolve.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is b. Damaging to relationships.