Friedman's Views on Maximizing Profit
             If one were to devise a business in an attempt to make as much money as possible, how would it be done? Is a business a success when the employers are happy or when the employers are wealthy? This perspective could be perceived as utilitarianism, whose theory states, "that the moral worth of actions or practices is determined solely by their consequences" (17). Most employers are happy when they are making money. Everyone involved is benefiting. Friedman's views on how to maximize profits divide the actions of businessmen and corporate executives.
             Friedman sees a corporate executive as " an employee of the owners of the business " (51). This means the executive runs the show exactly how his boss would like him to. In most cases it would be to make the most money possible. So how would he go about doing this? Friedman's idea suggests the best way would be to completely devote one's self to his employer (51).
             This almost seems as though he is saying to rule out trying to comply with society, and to do what is best for the individual. In this case the individual would be the corporation. If each individual executive makes as much money as can be made, the corporation as a whole has maximized their profits. Friedman seems to think socialism can get in the way with maximizing profit. He says businessmen think not only of profit but also its social conscience (51). Businessmen allow factors like discrimination and what is socially accepted in society to get in the way. If the main focus is on profits the outcome will be lucrative.
             If the main focus is split between profits and making sure it is complying with customs of society, the outcome will not be as lucrative. If corporate executives guide their businessmen to focus on the company as if it were they as an individual, many factors of socialism would be ruled out and the company wo...