Final answer:
The term describing a difference of opinion caused by different needs, wants, values, and goals is called 'conflict'. It can occur within an individual (internal conflict) or between different individuals or groups (external conflict), and while it can present challenges, conflict also offers opportunities for growth and innovation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a difference of opinion caused by different needs, wants, values, and goals is a conflict. This concept is central to the study of social interactions and politics, reflecting the reality that individuals and groups often have divergent objectives and perspectives. Conflicts can stem from a plethora of causes, such as competition over limited resources like clean air and potable water, or ideological differences over contentious issues like abortion or government spending on public works.
Not all conflicts are detrimental; they can present an opportunity for growth, learning, and innovation within a team or society. However, the key to managing conflicts effectively lies in the ability of individuals to navigate and negotiate differences constructively. Both internal conflicts, which involve a person's struggle with their own values or desires, and external conflicts, which happen between individuals or groups, are important in shaping the dynamics of relationships and society as a whole.
Understanding this facet of human interaction is crucial for comprehending how decisions are made, how compromises are reached, and how groups work together to achieve common objectives despite inherent disagreements. The concept of conflict aligns with the philosophical fact-value distinction, which separates objective facts from subjective values—what is versus what ought to be.