Two gentlemen stand back-to-back in the morning mist, pistols at their sides. A dispute over honor has brought them here. But contrary to popular imagination, they’re not actually here to shoot each other. They’re participating in what might be history’s most elaborate conflict resolution system.

The age of dueling, particularly in the 18th and early 19th centuries, provides a fascinating window into human conflict resolution.  While we’ve thankfully moved past settling personal disputes at gunpoint, the formal dueling process – known as the “code duello” – was surprisingly sophisticated and shares remarkable parallels with modern mediation techniques.

The Art of Avoiding a Shot

It might surprise you that most duels never reached the point of anyone firing a shot. The code duello was actually designed to prevent violence, not encourage it. It was, in essence, an early form of alternative dispute resolution, complete with:

  • Mandatory cooling-off periods
  • Third-party mediators (called “Seconds”)
  • Multiple off-ramps for peaceful resolution
  • Face-saving mechanisms for both parties

The Second: History’s First Professional Mediator?

The role of “seconds” in dueling culture particularly mirrors modern mediation. These weren’t just witnesses or buddies backing up their friends. Seconds were expected to:

  • Actively seek peaceful resolution
  • Negotiate on behalf of their principals
  • Find creative solutions that preserved honor
  • Keep hotheads from rushing to violence
  • Document all attempts at reconciliation

In many ways, they functioned exactly like modern professional mediators, complete with a duty to exhaust all peaceful options before allowing violence.

The Final Shot

While we’ve thankfully moved past the need for armed combat to resolve disputes, the psychological insights embedded in dueling culture remain surprisingly relevant.  Remember, the next time you’re in a mediation session with me: you’re participating in the latest version of the dueling tradition that dates back centuries.  The greatest innovation of modern mediation might simply be finding a way to preserve honor without the need for gunpowder.

For More Information, check out: Gentlemen’s Blood: A History of Dueling by Barbara Holland.