In contrast to the viewpoint that sees conflict as deriving from defense against instinctual drives and thus as an intrapsychic phenomenon, this essay presents conflict as some-times being an external opposition between disparate con-figurations of the self. These parallel sectors with different goals and ambitions can be seen in a continuum from the dramatic narcissistic behavior disorders to more subtle in-stances of moral dilemmas. A clinical illustration is offered to demonstrate its occurrence and management in psycho-analysis.