"A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself"

In this quote, Milton Friedman touches upon essential aspects of human nature, economics, and societal company. He suggests that a substantial criticism of a complimentary economy stems from societal pressures and cumulative viewpoints on what people or groups ought to desire. By "a major source of objection to a free economy", Friedman suggests that people often oppose the concept of a free enterprise since social standards and expectations dictate their preferences and habits. This collective mindset, described as "group thinks", discourages people from forming independent desires and choices. The crux of his argument is the stress in between conformity and individuality.

Friedman even more argues that the opposition to the free enterprise is rooted in an underlying disbelief in flexibility itself. This view insinuates that critics of the free enterprise do not fully trust people to make choices that line up with their interests, suggesting a paternalistic attitude that weakens individual liberty and autonomy. In a free market, individuals have the liberty to make financial options, reflecting their values and desires without external obsession. However, Friedman recommends that individuals often resist this flexibility due to the fact that they do not have self-confidence in their capability to choose what's best for themselves. They choose instead for a system where decisions are made collectively or by authority figures, possibly leading to constraints on specific choice.

The quote underscores the philosophical debate about the role of private flexibility versus cumulative control. It challenges us to take a look at the foundations of our beliefs about financial systems and the degree to which we value flexibility as both a principle and a practice. Friedman essentially calls for a reflection on whether opposition to the free enterprise comes from real financial review or a deeper discomfort with the concept of flexibility-- a self-questioning that motivates recommendation and rely on the potential and rationality of individual option.