Isn't intellectual property anti-progress?

most people defend intellectual property, but to me, it's like saying that if a great idea was discovered, the desires of the petty creator, who might not want to share, is more important than the rapid spread of a great, life improving innovation into society. why do we value the pride and greed of creators more than the progress of society? entertainment, ideas, methods, and everything, would suddenly advance like crazy if we could just freely use and build.