The Political Orphanage I Time Traveled to Talk to Medieval Yokels about Economics
9 snips
Jan 28, 2026 Father Richard Kirby, a fourteenth-century prior and theologian steeped in Just Price theory, tours medieval views on commerce. He explains Aquinas' idea that prices should cover costs and modest living. They debate when profit becomes immoral and whether essentials should be shielded from price gouging. Medieval suspicion of merchants and moral limits on trade come into focus.
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Economics As Moral Judgment
- Medieval people often saw economic problems as moral failings and blamed greed for price rises.
- They favored legal restraints like price controls to curb avarice rather than systemic fixes.
Witch Blamed For Crop Failure
- A farmer blames witchcraft for crop failure and describes burning an accused woman to stop famine.
- The exchange shows agentic thinking: disasters are caused by malicious individuals, not impersonal forces.
Just Price As Ethical Limit
- Father Richard explains Just Price theory: prices should cover cost plus modest labor, and excess profit is immoral.
- Medieval thought treats profit-seeking beyond necessity as exploitation that worsens poverty.
