Jin Hui Lu
Professor, Aarons
HUP101.1440
Fall 2008
October 8, 2008
Landlord’s Changing
Mrs. Chang: Jin Hui, recently you always go home very late and invite your friends to
come to my house. If you still keep happening like that, you’d better move out. I don’t like you
inviting your friends to my house and going home very late.
Jin Hui: I go home late because I am working on the night shift. I can’t change my
working schedule. Sometimes I can’t refuse my friends when they ask to come here. Do my
friends bother you?
Mrs. Chang: I am a very quite person. I know the exact time when you come home late
because you make noise, and sometimes your friends makes me feel unsafe.
Jin Hui: Well, Mrs. Chang, it sounds like my personal life is disrupting you.
Mrs. Chang: Yes. You disrupt me. That is why I want you to move out. Since you live
in my house, you have to follow what I want you to do. There are a few people who previously
lived here. They were very quiet and respected me. I hope you can like these people when you
live here.
Jin Hui: Well. Mrs. Chang. I know that you have the right to make the decision whether
I live here or move out. Do you feel that you have the right to force people who live in your
house to follow what you ask them to do? Were those people previously lived here really nice to
you?
Mrs. Chang: My rules might be wrong, but people always don’t care about what I am
saying. If I say to you, “go home early and don’t bring any friends into my house.” You will not
listen to me and still do what you want. Therefore, I have to give you a warning. You will be
aware of the consequences. Punishment is always better for people to remember. The way I said,
“If you still go home late and invite your friends to come to my house, you will move out.” is
asking you to pay attention to your behavior.
Jin Hui: I know. You want me to follow what you ask. Do you feel that your rules will
improve my behavior?
Mrs. Chang: Yeah. Of course you will.
Jin Hui: You are the landlord and you feel it is right for you to treat me how to behave.
Therefore, you punish me in order to protect your interest, right?
Mrs. Chang: Right. Personal interests are always extremely important for everyone.
Jin Hui: Well. Have you considered other people who live in your house? How about
their personal interests? Do you feel that you might affect my personal interest?
Mrs. Chang: I haven’t been considering these questions.
Jin Hui: So, you only think about your personal interests and whether people obey your
rules, but do not consider their lives or interests. As for me, I have to live in a different way
because your might force me to live your way.
Mrs. Chang: You mean that I am selfish and only care about my interest.
Jin Hui: Right. You must think about other people’s lives. They also want to focus on
their interests. If everyone wants to keep their interests, it will result in fighting.
Mrs. Chang: I agree with what you are saying to me. You mean I have the right to
control the way people live in my house. Actually I am incorrectly treating them because of my
personal interests.
Jin Hui: I’m so glad that you understand what I am saying to you. In reality, there are
many people using their power to treat other people unfairly. They have to understand and know
those weak people’s feelings. Therefore, it will prevent fighting and revenge. Anyway, I will go
home as early as I can and reduce the chance of bringing my friends to your house.
Mrs. Chang: All right. I am very glad you are living here because I didn’t realize my
requests opposed your personal interests. I now know how to treat people fairly because we all
have personal interests.
Reading Critically
Analyzing a Socratic Dialogue
#3. There are many instances in everyday experience when people use a might makes
right philosophy.