Name: Crystal Erwin
URL of the case being analyzed: Free Software
1. Briefly describe the ethical issues in this case.
One ethical issue in this case is that the University says: Most of the people who lives could be improved by the program were, poor and could not afford high cost programs. The university thought it would be better just to allow people to have a copy of the program. The Company says: Selling the ScreenMouses will benefit the handicapped community, which is the best way to go, and if they do not charge people it will decrease the market for future programs. The ethical issue is that The University is trying to hand out copies of the programs without any charge because the people who need the software do not have money. That is nice of them, but the company is trying to make money . The company is saying that the software is extremely beneficial for the handicap community and it must be a selling product to increase the other future programs that can help them as well. The university is trying to do something good, because they know that people can not afford it. But the company is trying to make money and basically saying that these people will be able to afford the program.
2. Who are the interested parties and what do you suppose each of them would like to see as an outcome?
The University and The Company are the two interested parties in the case. The University would like the software to be given to people as gifts so they do not have to purchase the program elsewhere. The company would like to sell the program and have people acknowledge how much of a benefit it is for the handicapped and look forward to other programs like ScreenMouse in the future too.
2. Propose three possible solutions (two extremes and a compromise). Mark them a), b), and c). Give a best-case and worst-case outcome for each solution and, for each solution, indicate whether you could tolerate the worst-case outcome.
A) The first extreme would be for The Company to attempt to take the University to court, because they are not helping market the product and hurting their company. The best case would be for The University to just advertise the software for the Company. The worst case would be the company taking the University to court and nothing getting solved. I would not be able to tolerate the worst case scenario, because I would know that there was a better way to settle the case.
B) The second extreme would be for The University to continue to give away the software, and not compromise with the company and then they will continue to compete. The best case scenario would be for both the University and the company to join and sale the product as one. The worst case scenario would be the University to continue giving away software. If I was the company I would not be able to tolerate the University giving away something that could eventually be a useful product.
C) If The University could give out samples of the software to people but encourage the people to go to the company to actually buy the real thing, will help both parties. The University will still be helping people and the company will still be getting the software on the market. I do not think that you can handle the case better than what is stated above. This way everyone wins.
4. A) would you be willing for everyone to be permitted to use this solution? Explain.
Yes, I would be willing for everyone to be permitted to use solution “c” because both parties win. The ideal situation would be for the university to give out samples of the software, letting people decide if they like it or not , and then encouraging them to go to the company to buy it, because it is.
4. B) Does it treat people as ends rather than as means only? Explain.
The Compromise solution “c” would be treating people as means rather than ends, only because the company is trying to make money. The only way to make money is by using the people the University gathers, to make the money.
5. A) is this solution in accord with what is natural (e.g., in accord with human nature, the environment, the inherent purpose of anything else involved in the case? Explain.
Yes, the solution “c” is in agreement with what is natural because both parties would be benefiting from natural good and common goal, which is in conformity with nature, which is with what is good. It is quite obvious that the case is about Free Software, but there was no violation of nature in this case.
5. B) is this solution balanced between an approach that is excessive on the one hand and deficient on the other?
The solution is one that will benefit both parties in an approach of compromising, because each party will be getting what they want. The University will be allowed to give out free samples of the programs (not containing all the information) and the company will be able to convince people to buy the product. So solution “c” is neither excessive nor deficient on either side, because both companies will benefit from solution “c” this solution is geared for the common good of everyone.
6. A) would there be majority agreement that this solution is the most efficient means to the end? Explain.
Yes, because the people that the University is giving the software away to, are the same people that the company needs in order to sell the product.
6. B) Will it produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people? Explain.
Yes solution “c” would produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people because both parties will be getting what they want. The University is doing the nice thing and the company is doing what will help their company. Solution “c” is a compromise solution and offers ideas for both parties to be satisfied. The university will be giving away free samples of the software and people will like what the see and go to the company and buy the complete program. Both Parties win!!!
7. A) Is this solution the one you feel most committed to in your own conscience, regardless of whether or not it benefits you personally? Explain.
Yes, it is. This is because this is the way I handle most situations. Everything does not have to end in a bad way, and I think many situations can be solved in a compromise.
7. B) Do you choose this solution in an autonomous manner, as the final arbiter of the good, free from any influence of others?
Yes, solution “c” is the way I choose most of my decisions; I try to compromise with everything. I usually think about the overall situation and try to come up with a comprise for the common good or let people handle it the way they choose too, which ever comes first.
8. Which philosophy do you feel was most influential in your solution to this case? Why?
I think a little bit of the realist philosophy and the existentialist philosophy were each very influential in my solution to this case, which was for the university to give out samples of the software, let people decide if they like it or not , and then encourage them to go to the company to buy it, because it is. I think both philosophies were influential because I wanted to make a solution that would be morally good for both parties. But I also agree when a realist says that being a natural convenience or inconvenience, would operate of itself, without a law and this is what I cam up with.