Contrasting Ethics: Drucker and FriedmanPeter F. Drucker and Milton Friedman were two immensely successful men who had a huge impact on the business world during their lifetimes. As a matter of fact, their contribution in both theory and practice is still felt today. Both men were well educated, leaders in their fields, teachers, award winners, and published authors. One notable difference, however, was their very different backgrounds. Peter Drucker was born in Austria in the early 1900s to wealthy parents who were both professionals. His father held a high government position as a lawyer and economist while his mother studied medicine (Beatty, 2005). Because of their wealth and influential place in society, Drucker's parents surrounded themselves with the intelligentsia of their time and, thus, exposed young Drucker to some of the most profound thinkers of the period. For example, during this period he came into contact with Freud. His parents often hosted meetings for groups of modern thinkers where lively discussions related to the arts and sciences were the rule of the day. Being privy to the reflections of such intellectuals introduced Drucker to new ideas and ways of thinking (The Drucker Institute, 2011). Such an early introduction to genius and ingenuity made him a keen observer of people and paved the way for Drucker's educational and professional achievements. Ultimately it was his passion for people that brought him into the management field. Milton Friedman was also born in the early 1900s. Unlike Drucker, however, he was born in the United States to poor parents of Eastern European descent. Instead of spending time in the company of the intellectual elite, his family ... middle of paper ...... viewable at http://www.nationalaffairs.com/doclib/20080708_1981632whatisbusinessethicspeterfdrucker.pdfFriedman, M. (1970, September). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine, 18-36. Retrieved from Jennings, M. M. (2009). Case studies and selected readings on business ethics. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.Makower, J. (November 2006). Milton Friedman and corporate social responsibility. Retrieved from http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005373.html.The Drucker Institute. (2011). Peter Drucker - about Peter Drucker. The Drucker Institute.com. Retrieved from http://www.druckerinstitute.com/link/about-peter-drucker/The Nobel Foundation. (2005). Milton Friedman - autobiography. Nobelprize.org. March 13, 2012 Retrieved from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1976/friedman.html