Stallman loves to use the word "Freedom", which is why we're discussing
this value so much now. But I believe that Stallman's words (part of which
I summarized in my "fake interview" with him) should be interpreted more
broadly to say: "Free Software is important because of its values, not
because of its practical advantages".

I don't believe that Freedom is the only value that should be mentioned
in this regard. In my essays (sorry for the usual plug: [1]) I explained why
I believe that two other values should be stressed as well when discussing
the moral advantages of free software: Equality and Fraternity. 

Richard Stallman does agree with me that these two values are also important,
but he rarely mentions them - maybe because of pedagogical reasons ("focus
your aim") or because he really thinks they are less important. He did
mention those values, though, in [2] (you'll need to be able to read French
to read this speech that Stallman gave in 1998 in Paris).

[1] http://nadav.harel.org.il/essays/chofesh/index.html
[2] http://www.april.org/actions/rms/10111998/texte.html

-- 
Nadav Har'El                        |     Saturday, Jan 11 2003, 8 Shevat 5763