Ethical dilemma: Should knowledge be free? - Michael Vazquez and Will Kanwischer

The mystical city of Ockham is famous for its college of magic.

Here, genius spellcasters invent incantations and publish them in enchanted scrolls that others can purchase.

As an aspiring wizard, you study these scrolls to learn from the best.

Specifically, you’re interested in making mathematical magic— like spells that conjure complex shapes— for researchers to study.

Often, you can’t afford the latest scrolls in your field.

But one day, a friend tells you he's been using an illegal duplication spell to copy scrolls, and, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to read his collection free of charge.

So, do you use his counterfeit scrolls to further your own research?

As a wizard, you know designing spells requires a lot of intellectual labor and creativity, which is why it’s widely agreed that mages should be able to make a living selling their work.