Free software and the economics of information justice |
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| Authors: | S Chopra S Dexter |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Philosophy, Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA;(2) Department of Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA |
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| Abstract: | Claims about the potential of free software to reform the production and distribution of software are routinely countered
by skepticism that the free software community fails to engage the pragmatic and economic ‘realities’ of a software industry.
We argue to the contrary that contemporary business and economic trends definitively demonstrate the financial viability of
an economy based on free software. But the argument for free software derives its true normative weight from social justice
considerations: the evaluation of the basis for a software economy should be guided by consideration of the social and cultural
states which are the ultimate goals of any economic arrangement. That is, the software economy should be evaluated in light
of its ability to provide justice. We conclude with a discussion of possible avenues for reform. |
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