Had a similar situation in college. The fellow in the next room enjoyed having loud sex with his girlfriend at night. The walls were thin enough that I would sometimes have trouble falling asleep through the noise, and we ended up reaching a compromise wherein they’d have loud sex during the day and I’d just have to deal with it. He could have very well argued that he had the right to have sex with his girlfriend and refused to budge, but rather than lead to a solution that sort of approach would have fostered mutual resentment, possible escalation, and an overall unpleasant living experience.
So where does Alice fit in with her music? There’s an ethical question and then there’s a practical question. Being ethically right doesn’t make the social aspects disappear. Whether Alice submits, tries to compromise, or tells the neighbor where to shove it, her response is going to affect her future relationship with that neighbors. A neighbor with a grudge can make your life a living hell. On the other hand, a domineering neighbor whom you permit to control your life leads to a bad situation as well.
I’d say Alice loses nothing by talking to her neighbor and trying get at the root of the problem. There may be an easy solution. If the neighbor refuses to have a discussion and instead just complains or makes demands, then Alice at the very least knows what she’s dealing with and can respond appropriately.
Had a similar situation in college. The fellow in the next room enjoyed having loud sex with his girlfriend at night. The walls were thin enough that I would sometimes have trouble falling asleep through the noise, and we ended up reaching a compromise wherein they’d have loud sex during the day and I’d just have to deal with it. He could have very well argued that he had the right to have sex with his girlfriend and refused to budge, but rather than lead to a solution that sort of approach would have fostered mutual resentment, possible escalation, and an overall unpleasant living experience.
So where does Alice fit in with her music? There’s an ethical question and then there’s a practical question. Being ethically right doesn’t make the social aspects disappear. Whether Alice submits, tries to compromise, or tells the neighbor where to shove it, her response is going to affect her future relationship with that neighbors. A neighbor with a grudge can make your life a living hell. On the other hand, a domineering neighbor whom you permit to control your life leads to a bad situation as well.
I’d say Alice loses nothing by talking to her neighbor and trying get at the root of the problem. There may be an easy solution. If the neighbor refuses to have a discussion and instead just complains or makes demands, then Alice at the very least knows what she’s dealing with and can respond appropriately.