弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼生(sheng)于紐約市(shi)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)工(gong)人階級的猶太(tai)人家(jia)庭，父(fu)親是(shi)耶(ye)諾·紹(shao)爾(er)·弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼（Jeno Saul Friedman），母親是(shi)薩拉·埃(ai)特(te)爾(er)·蘭(lan)道(dao)（Sarah Ethel Landau，1892年(nian)-？），兩人從(cong)奧匈帝國（今烏克蘭(lan)一(yi)(yi)帶）移居美國，在(zai)當地邂逅，曾在(zai)血汗工(gong)廠(chang)工(gong)作。弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼是(shi)家(jia)中第(di)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)孩(hai)(hai)子，也是(shi)唯一(yi)(yi)的男(nan)孩(hai)(hai)。他的三個(ge)妹妹包(bao)括：蒂(di)莉·F·弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼（Tillie F. Friedman，1919年(nian)-？）、海(hai)倫·弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼（Helen Friedman，1920年(nian)-？）和露絲·弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼（Ruth Friedman，1921年(nian)-？）。高中時，弗(fu)(fu)里(li)(li)德(de)(de)曼父(fu)親逝世(shi)后，舉家(jia)搬到新澤(ze)西州的羅威市(shi)（Rahway）。
他16歲前完成(cheng)高中，憑(ping)獎(jiang)學(xue)金入讀(du)羅(luo)(luo)格斯(si)(si)大學(xue)。原打(da)算成(cheng)為精算師的(de)(de)弗里德曼最初(chu)修讀(du)數(shu)學(xue)，但成(cheng)績(ji)平(ping)平(ping)。1932年(nian)取得文學(xue)士，翌(yi)年(nian)他到芝加哥大學(xue)修讀(du)碩士，1933年(nian)芝大碩士畢業。上第一堂經濟課時，座位是以姓氏字母(mu)編排，他緊隨(sui)一名叫(jiao)羅(luo)(luo)斯(si)(si)（Rose Director）的(de)(de)女生(sheng)之后(hou)(hou)。兩人(ren)6年(nian)后(hou)(hou)結婚，從此終(zhong)生(sheng)不渝。弗里德曼曾說(shuo)他的(de)(de)作品(pin)無(wu)一不被羅(luo)(luo)斯(si)(si)審閱，更(geng)笑言(yan)自己(ji)成(cheng)為學(xue)術權威(wei)后(hou)(hou)，羅(luo)(luo)斯(si)(si)是唯一膽(dan)敢跟(gen)他辯(bian)論的(de)(de)人(ren).
畢業后，他(ta)曾為羅斯(si)福新(xin)政工(gong)作以(yi)求糊口(kou)，批準了許多(duo)早期(qi)的(de)新(xin)政措(cuo)施以(yi)解(jie)決當時(shi)(shi)面臨的(de)艱難經(jing)(jing)濟情況，尤其是(shi)新(xin)政的(de)許多(duo)公共建設計(ji)劃(hua)。輾轉間他(ta)到哥倫比亞大學(xue)(xue)(xue)繼續修(xiu)讀經(jing)(jing)濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)，研(yan)究(jiu)計(ji)量、制度及(ji)實踐經(jing)(jing)濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)。返回芝加哥后，獲亨(heng)利·舒爾茨（Henry Schultz）聘任為研(yan)究(jiu)助(zhu)理，協助(zhu)完成(cheng)《需求理論(lun)(lun)及(ji)計(ji)算》論(lun)(lun)文。為美國國家經(jing)(jing)濟研(yan)究(jiu)局(ju)(ju)工(gong)作時(shi)(shi)，他(ta)1940年曾完成(cheng)一書(shu)，指醫生的(de)壟斷局(ju)(ju)面導致(zhi)他(ta)們的(de)收入遠高于牙(ya)醫，引(yin)起局(ju)(ju)方(fang)爭議，令該書(shu)要(yao)在戰后始能出版。
弗里(li)德(de)曼(man)在(zai)威斯康辛大學任教(jiao)了(le)一小(xiao)段時間，但(dan)由于在(zai)經(jing)濟學系里(li)碰上了(le)反猶主義(yi)者的(de)阻撓(nao)而只得返回政(zheng)府部門(men)工(gong)作。
1941年(nian)(nian)至1943年(nian)(nian)，他(ta)(ta)出任美國(guo)財政部(bu)顧(gu)問(wen)，研(yan)(yan)(yan)究(jiu)戰時稅務政策(ce)，曾支持(chi)凱恩斯主義的稅賦政策(ce)，并且協助推廣預扣(kou)所得稅制度。1943年(nian)(nian)至1945年(nian)(nian)在哥倫(lun)比(bi)亞大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)參與(yu)Harold Hotelling及(ji)W. Allen Wallis的研(yan)(yan)(yan)究(jiu)小組，為武器設計(ji)、戰略及(ji)冶金(jin)實驗分析數據(ju)。1945年(nian)(nian)，他(ta)(ta)與(yu)后來(lai)的諾貝爾經(jing)濟(ji)學(xue)(xue)(xue)獎(jiang)得主喬治(zhi)·斯蒂格(ge)勒到明尼蘇(su)達大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)任職，1946年(nian)(nian)他(ta)(ta)獲(huo)哥倫(lun)比(bi)亞大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)博士學(xue)(xue)(xue)位(wei)，隨(sui)后回到芝加哥大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)教授經(jing)濟(ji)理論，期間再為國(guo)家經(jing)濟(ji)研(yan)(yan)(yan)究(jiu)局研(yan)(yan)(yan)究(jiu)貨幣在商業周期的角色。這是他(ta)(ta)學(xue)(xue)(xue)術上的重大(da)分水(shui)嶺。
在他(ta)的(de)(de)自(zi)傳中(zhong)，弗里德(de)曼曾描(miao)述1941至43年為羅斯福(fu)新政工作時，“當時我是(shi)一個徹底的(de)(de)凱恩(en)斯主義者”。隨著時間(jian)過去，弗里德(de)曼對于經濟政策的(de)(de)看法也逐漸轉變，他(ta)在芝(zhi)大成(cheng)立貨(huo)幣(bi)及(ji)(ji)銀(yin)行研究小組(zu)，借著經濟史(shi)論(lun)家(jia)安娜·施瓦茨的(de)(de)協(xie)助，發表影(ying)響深遠的(de)(de)《美國(guo)貨(huo)幣(bi)史(shi)》著作。他(ta)在書中(zhong)挑(tiao)戰凱恩(en)斯學派的(de)(de)觀點，抨擊他(ta)們(men)忽(hu)略貨(huo)幣(bi)供應、金融政策對經濟周期(qi)及(ji)(ji)通(tong)脹的(de)(de)重(zhong)要性。
他(ta)接著在芝(zhi)加(jia)哥(ge)大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)擔任經濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)教(jiao)授，直至1976年(nian)(nian)(nian)退(tui)休。這30年(nian)(nian)(nian)里(li)(li)他(ta)將芝(zhi)大(da)經濟系形塑(su)成緊密而完(wan)整的(de)經濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)派(pai)(pai)，力倡自由(you)經濟，被稱為芝(zhi)加(jia)哥(ge)經濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)派(pai)(pai)。在弗(fu)里(li)(li)德曼(man)(man)的(de)領導下，多(duo)名芝(zhi)加(jia)哥(ge)學(xue)(xue)(xue)派(pai)(pai)的(de)成員(yuan)獲得諾貝爾(er)經濟學(xue)(xue)(xue)獎。他(ta)在1953年(nian)(nian)(nian)至1954年(nian)(nian)(nian)間以訪問學(xue)(xue)(xue)者的(de)身分前往(wang)英國(guo)劍橋大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)岡維爾(er)與凱斯(si)學(xue)(xue)(xue)院任教(jiao)。從(cong)1977年(nian)(nian)(nian)開始弗(fu)里(li)(li)德曼(man)(man)也加(jia)入了(le)斯(si)坦福(fu)大(da)學(xue)(xue)(xue)的(de)胡(hu)佛研究所。弗(fu)里(li)(li)德曼(man)(man)在1988年(nian)(nian)(nian)取得了(le)美國(guo)的(de)國(guo)家(jia)科學(xue)(xue)(xue)獎章(zhang)。
他在(zai)1980主持(chi)了名為“選擇的(de)自(zi)由”的(de)節目，并(bing)出版了同名的(de)著(zhu)作，使得他廣泛的(de)被大眾認識(shi)。在(zai)節目中(zhong)他以(yi)一支鉛(qian)筆說(shuo)明(ming)自(zi)由市場的(de)原(yuan)理的(de)片段(duan)，成為了他廣受歡迎的(de)一段(duan)言論(lun)，至今在(zai)網絡上(shang)依(yi)然可以(yi)見到其(qi)蹤(zong)影。
他(ta)通(tong)常反(fan)對政府(fu)干預的(de)計劃，尤其是對于市場(chang)(chang)價(jia)格的(de)管制，他(ta)認(ren)為(wei)價(jia)格在市場(chang)(chang)機制里扮(ban)演調度資源所(suo)(suo)不可或缺(que)的(de)信(xin)號功能。在《美國貨(huo)(huo)幣歷史》一書中(zhong)，他(ta)提(ti)出大蕭條其實是政府(fu)對于貨(huo)(huo)幣供應(ying)管制不當(dang)所(suo)(suo)致。后來他(ta)在2006年說道：“你(ni)知道嗎？很奇怪(guai)的(de)是為(wei)何人(ren)們仍以(yi)為(wei)是羅斯福的(de)政策讓(rang)我(wo)們脫離了經(jing)濟大蕭條。當(dang)時的(de)問題是，你(ni)有(you)一堆失(shi)業(ye)的(de)機器和失(shi)業(ye)的(de)人(ren)民，你(ni)怎么(me)能靠著(zhu)成立(li)產業(ye)壟斷集團和提(ti)升價(jia)格及(ji)工資來解(jie)決他(ta)們的(de)問題？”
1992年(nian)獲諾貝(bei)爾經濟(ji)獎的(de)(de)加(jia)里(li)(li)·貝(bei)克(ke)形容，弗里(li)(li)德曼(man)可(ke)能(neng)是(shi)全球最為人(ren)認識的(de)(de)經濟(ji)學家，“他(ta)能(neng)以最簡單的(de)(de)語言(yan)表達(da)最艱深的(de)(de)經濟(ji)理論(lun)”。他(ta)亦是(shi)極(ji)出色的(de)(de)演(yan)說(shuo)家，能(neng)隨時即席演(yan)說(shuo)，極(ji)富說(shuo)服力。香港(gang)科技大學經濟(ji)發(fa)展研究中心主任雷鼎鳴形容弗里(li)(li)德曼(man)思考快(kuai)如閃(shan)電，據說(shuo)辯論(lun)從未輸過。“無人(ren)敢說(shuo)辯贏了他(ta)，因與(yu)他(ta)辯論(lun)過已是(shi)無限光榮，沒(mei)多(duo)少人(ren)能(neng)與(yu)他(ta)說(shuo)上(shang)兩分(fen)鐘。”
弗(fu)里德(de)(de)曼是(shi)學(xue)術世家(jia)。他妻(qi)子(zi)(zi)羅絲是(shi)經濟學(xue)家(jia)，其妻(qi)兄長亞倫·戴雷科特(te)是(shi)芝加哥大(da)學(xue)聲望顯(xian)赫的(de)法律學(xue)教授。弗(fu)里德(de)(de)曼育(yu)有兩(liang)名子(zi)(zi)女，包括女兒(er)珍尼·弗(fu)里德(de)(de)曼及大(da)衛·弗(fu)里德(de)(de)曼，大(da)衛本身是(shi)無政府資(zi)本主(zhu)義(yi)學(xue)說的(de)重要學(xue)者(zhe)。大(da)衛的(de)兒(er)子(zi)(zi)Patri畢業于斯(si)坦福大(da)學(xue)，2006年(nian)時在Google任(ren)職。
他于(yu)2006年11月16日在舊金山家中(zhong)因心臟病發引致衰竭逝世。
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Inflation: Causes and consequences, 1963.
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A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960, with Anna J. Schwartz, 1963; part 3 reprinted as The Great Contraction
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The Optimum Quantity of Money: And Other Essays (1976)
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Chao, Hsiang-ke. "Milton Friedman and the Emergence of the Permanent Income Hypothesis" History of Political Economy 2003 35(1): 77-104. Issn: 0018-2702 Fulltext in Project Muse
A.W. Bob Coats; "The Legacy of Milton Friedman as Teacher" Economic Record, Vol. 77, 2001
Frazer, William. Power and Ideas: Milton Friedman and the Big U-Turn. Vol. 1: The Background. Vol. 2: The U-Turn. Gainesville, Fla.: Gulf/Atlantic, 1988. 867 pp.
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Hirsch, Abraham, and Neil de Marchi. Milton Friedman: Economics in Theory and Practice (1990) his methodology
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Kasper, Sherryl. The Revival of Laissez-Faire in American Macroeconomic Theory: A Case Study of Its Pioneers (2002)
Leeson, Robert, ed. Ideology and International Economy: The Decline and Fall of Bretton Woods (2003)
Powell, Jim. The Triumph of Liberty (New York: Free Press, 2000). See profile of Friedman in the chapter "Inflation and Depression."
Rayack; Elton. Not So Free to Choose: The Political Economy of Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan Praeger, 1987; attacks Friedman's policies from the left
Steindl, Frank G. "Friedman and Money in the 1930s" History of Political Economy 2004 36(3): 521-531. Issn: 0018-2702 lecture notes from his 1940 course show he did not criticize the Fed at that time, and did not emphasize money.
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《實(shi)證經濟(ji)學(xue)論文集》（Essays in Positive Economics）
《消費函數理論》（A Theory of the Consumption Function）
《資本主義與自由(you)》（Capitalism and Freedom）
《自由選擇》（Free to Choose）
《價格理論(lun)》（Price Theory：A Provisional Text）
《美國貨幣史》（A Monetary History of the United States，1867一1960）與施瓦茲（Anna J.Schwartz）
弗(fu)里德(de)曼(man)最(zui)知名(ming)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)理論，是(shi)(shi)他提出的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)作為決定(ding)生產(chan)(chan)價(jia)值基準的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)因(yin)素(su)，通貨(huo)膨脹在(zai)(zai)根本上源(yuan)自于貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)量的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)張。貨(huo)幣(bi)主(zhu)義是(shi)(shi)現代經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)學(xue)(xue)在(zai)(zai)貨(huo)幣(bi)數量理論的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)重要觀(guan)點之一(yi)(yi)，這種理論的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)根源(yuan)可以(yi)(yi)追溯至(zhi)(zhi)16世紀(ji)西班牙的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)薩拉曼(man)卡學(xue)(xue)派(pai)，弗(fu)里德(de)曼(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)貢(gong)獻則是(shi)(shi)現代化了這種理論，將其推廣(guang)為現代經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)學(xue)(xue)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)流(liu)貨(huo)幣(bi)學(xue)(xue)說(shuo)。他在(zai)(zai)1963年(nian)與(yu)Anna Schwartz合著(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)A Monetary History of the United States一(yi)(yi)書(shu)中檢(jian)驗了美國(guo)歷史上貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)和(he)經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)活動之間(jian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關聯(lian)。他們(men)得出了驚人結論：貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)一(yi)(yi)向是(shi)(shi)經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)活動起伏的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)唯一(yi)(yi)影(ying)響來(lai)源(yuan)。又或者如同美國(guo)聯(lian)邦儲(chu)備(bei)系(xi)統(tong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)席本·伯南克在(zai)(zai)2002年(nian)慶祝弗(fu)里德(de)曼(man)90歲生日(ri)時(shi)所描述的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)：“有關大蕭條，你是(shi)(shi)正(zheng)確(que)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)，我(wo)們(men)（聯(lian)邦儲(chu)備(bei)系(xi)統(tong)）當時(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)確(que)做(zuo)錯(cuo)了。我(wo)們(men)真的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)很(hen)抱歉。”David Meiselman在(zai)(zai)1960年(nian)代進行的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)幾(ji)次研(yan)究顯示(shi)了貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)在(zai)(zai)決定(ding)經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)投資、以(yi)(yi)及政(zheng)府開銷在(zai)(zai)決定(ding)消費(fei)及生產(chan)(chan)總額上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)角色是(shi)(shi)至(zhi)(zhi)高無上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。弗(fu)里德(de)曼(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)觀(guan)察研(yan)究和(he)一(yi)(yi)些學(xue)(xue)說(shuo)進一(yi)(yi)步(bu)推展了這種結論，主(zhu)張貨(huo)幣(bi)供(gong)(gong)給(gei)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)改變(bian)是(shi)(shi)影(ying)響經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)生產(chan)(chan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)首要原因(yin)，但(dan)長期的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)影(ying)響則是(shi)(shi)由物價(jia)水平(ping)決定(ding)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。
弗(fu)里德曼對(dui)于(yu)消費層面的(de)分析也相當知名(ming)，亦即他(ta)在(zai)1957年(nian)提(ti)出的(de)恒常所得假(jia)說(shuo)。這個理論(lun)被一些經濟學(xue)者視為是(shi)他(ta)在(zai)經濟學(xue)方法論(lun)上(shang)最重(zhong)(zhong)要的(de)貢獻。他(ta)其他(ta)重(zhong)(zhong)要的(de)貢獻還包括了對(dui)菲利(li)普(pu)斯曲線的(de)批(pi)評，以及(ji)(ji)他(ta)提(ti)出的(de)失(shi)業(ye)率的(de)自(zi)然(ran)比率的(de)概念（1968年(nian)）。這些學(xue)說(shuo)都與貨幣和金融政策在(zai)對(dui)經濟的(de)長(chang)期及(ji)(ji)短(duan)期影響上(shang)有關。在(zai)統計學(xue)上(shang)，他(ta)則創造出了知名(ming)的(de)弗(fu)里德曼測試。
弗里(li)德(de)曼(man)的(de)(de)論文(wen)The Methodology of Positive Economics（1953年）則替他(ta)稍后幾十年的(de)(de)研(yan)究方法論架構了(le)模型，并(bing)且也成為了(le)芝(zhi)加哥經(jing)濟學派的(de)(de)主要(yao)框架之一(yi)。他(ta)主張經(jing)濟學身(shen)為一(yi)種(zhong)學科，應(ying)該(gai)(gai)免于客(ke)觀的(de)(de)價值衡(heng)量。除此之外，一(yi)個(ge)經(jing)濟理論有用與(yu)否(fou)，不應(ying)該(gai)(gai)是(shi)以它對現實的(de)(de)描(miao)述（例如(ru)頭發顏色）作為衡(heng)量標(biao)準，而是(shi)應(ying)該(gai)(gai)以它能否(fou)有效作為對未(wei)來情況(kuang)的(de)(de)預(yu)測(ce)為基準。
弗里德曼在理論(lun)(lun)上有三大貢獻，首先是提出現代貨(huo)幣(bi)數量論(lun)(lun)，即(ji)通(tong)貨(huo)膨脹起(qi)源于“太多的(de)貨(huo)幣(bi)追(zhui)逐太少的(de)商品”。政府可(ke)以通(tong)過控制(zhi)貨(huo)幣(bi)增長(chang)來(lai)遏制(zhi)通(tong)脹。這被視為現代經濟理論(lun)(lun)的(de)一場革命(ming)。
其次，他創立消(xiao)(xiao)費函(han)數理論(lun)，對(dui)凱(kai)恩斯經濟理論(lun)中的(de)邊(bian)際消(xiao)(xiao)費遞減規律進行(xing)駁斥。凱(kai)恩斯認為，隨(sui)著社會財富和(he)個人收(shou)入(ru)的(de)增加(jia)，人們用于消(xiao)(xiao)費方面的(de)支出(chu)(chu)呈遞減趨勢，與(yu)此同時(shi)儲蓄則越來越多。因此政府可以通過增加(jia)公共(gong)支出(chu)(chu)來抵(di)消(xiao)(xiao)個人消(xiao)(xiao)費的(de)減少，從而保證經濟的(de)持(chi)續增長。弗里德曼(man)指出(chu)(chu)，這(zhe)一理論(lun)站(zhan)不住(zhu)腳(jiao)，因為人們的(de)欲望實際上永(yong)無(wu)止境，原有的(de)得到滿足后(hou)，新的(de)隨(sui)即(ji)產生。
第(di)三，1968年，弗(fu)里德曼與(yu)美國(guo)哥倫比亞大(da)學經濟學家菲爾普同時提出“自(zi)(zi)然率(lv)假說”理論。他們發現，長期來看，失業(ye)率(lv)與(yu)通貨膨脹并沒有必然聯系。自(zi)(zi)然失業(ye)率(lv)永遠存(cun)在，是(shi)不可消除的(de)。因此政(zheng)府的(de)宏觀調控政(zheng)策長期來看是(shi)不起任何作用的(de)。
1951年(nian)：約(yue)翰·貝茲·克拉克獎（John Bates Clark Medal）
1976年(nian)：諾貝爾(er)經濟(ji)學獎
1988年：國家科(ke)學獎章(zhang)
1988年：總(zong)統自由勛章（Presidential Medal of Freedom）
巧笑倩兮 
