* The Discipline of Economics as We Know it Didn't Exist: Modern economics as a formalized discipline didn't emerge until much later.
* Focus on Practical Concerns: 12th-century thinkers were primarily concerned with practical matters like:
* Just prices: Determining fair prices for goods and services.
* Trade and commerce: Regulating markets and international trade.
* Usury: The morality of lending money at interest.
* Religious Influences: Much of the economic thought of the time was intertwined with religious teachings.
* Key Figures: While we can't pinpoint one "most influential," these individuals were important figures in the economic thinking of the 12th century:
* Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): A Dominican theologian who wrote extensively on economic issues, including just prices and the role of the state in regulating markets.
* John of Salisbury (c. 1115-1180): An English scholar who discussed the importance of a strong and stable economy for society.
* The Schoolmen: A group of scholars who debated economic issues from a philosophical and theological perspective.
It's essential to remember that the 12th century was a period of transition, with many of these ideas influencing the development of economic thought in the centuries that followed.