Quiz 4 - Stallman

Question 1

What is Stallman’s argument/thesis?

Answer 1

He argues having ownership over creations leads to bad consequences and should be stopped.

Question 2

Outline his argument.

Answer 2

PREMISE we should adopt policies that lead to best longterm benefits for everyone
PREMISE{Consequences of ownership:
1. restricted use of programs
2. inability to adapt or fix programs
3. loss of educational benefits
4. psychosocial harm (no social cohesion/decay of altruistic spirit)}
CONCLUSION we ought to eliminate software ownership

Question 3

Explain premise two of his overarching argument

Answer 3

PREMISE 2: HARM DONE BY SOFTWARE OBSTRUCTION
1-“Fewer people use the program” ownership makes it so less ppl have program cuz costs so high [um…no? not at all, we’ll cough up the money. and allowing owners drives down the cost-competition]
2-“Obstruction of Custom Adaptation” prohibits fixing flaws, fosters psychosocial harm and helplessness [does it really? wud it be a bad thing}
3-“Obstruction to advances” standing on the shoulder of giants no more, no good edu from it [does it?]
4-“Damaging social cohesion” bad for altruism, social coherence, makes people betray neighbors [is it though?]

Question 4

What 2 arguments does he refute?

Answer 4

Emotional argument for ownership:
1. It exists cuz me, my heart and soul, mine.
HIS RESPONSE: Yeah, well once u get paid, u dont care. it’s not necessary to create work (anon authors). This doesnt justify ownership, is irrelevant.

Economic argument:
1. utilitarianism is good, we ought to do best for most
2. w/o incentive (ownership rights guaranteed), no one will program.
3. it follows we ought to allow ownership rights so we ensure they keep producing
HIS RESPONSE: detailed, q below

Question 5

How does he refute the economic argument?

Answer 5

[this is a huge argument against stallman, he has to really refute the economic point]

PPl will program anyway because:
1-Programming is fun (phil is fun not $, ppl still do it)
2-we can fund free software thru nonprofits, govt, university, hardware Co. taxes and we don’t have to pay crazy amounts

Question 6

Problems for Stallman’s argument?

Answer 6

1-is programming that much fun?
2-brain-drain worry (some of the most promising upcoming researchers are finding no place for themselves in the academic community)
3-tax avoidance (those hardware co’s can find a way out of potential taxes
4-whats wrong with being selfish? (invisible hand: it leads to cheaper, better products)

5-would this work for other intellectual property - movies? novels? songs? physical property- cars? PCs? probably not, people would get annoyed without ownership

6-what about microsoft’s near monopoly on operating systems? ?????????????? idunderstand this

7-accountability - who is accountable if this software is free-floating?

8- what’s to be said about privacy, security, intellectual property?