Milton Friedman was a real treasure, especially watching him speak lately as his mind was still remarkably agile at 94 (as I get older I respect those who remain sharp at an advanced age more and more). He was the best stand-up debater of all time, not merely because he was smart (surely Samuelson had a higher IQ), but because he was right on the big issues, and it's easier to defend a correct position than an incorrect one. He didn't get too involved in the mathematical physics envy of the profession (which now seems waning), a methodological choice little appreciated. Sure, the monetary growth rule was not such a good idea, but no one's perfect.

He castigated the effects of teachers unions, the medical monopoly in America, excessive monetary growth, unions, wage and price controls, social security, public housing, welfare, etc., long before it was fashionable. Most of these opinions were predicated on the consistent theme that by violating an individual's liberty, one is neglecting the wisdom of those who are in a best position to judge the appropriateness of a certain course of action.

I remember one economist saying he liked Friedman's style of doing economics better than Samuelson's but he agreed more with Samuelson than Friedman. That said a lot--to me, anyway--about how logical argument relates to truth.

One classic from last summer: in this video he recounts there are 4 ways to spend money

1) you spend your own money on yourself
2) you spend your money on someone else
3) you spend other people's money on yourself
4) you spend other people's money on others

This informs his desire to minimize the size of government. Many liberals characterize him and his ilk (eg, me) as mean and indifferent to the poor, but he was a true utilitarian, for equality of rights, he just differed on tactics. In my personal pantheon of people I most admire, he's a charter member, along with Hayek, Stigler, Feynman, Voltaire, Machiavelli, Plato, Smith....