Prices are important not because money is considered paramount but because prices are a fast and effective conveyor of information through a vast society in which fragmented knowledge must be coordinated.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the significance of prices in an economy, not as an indicator of the value of money but as a crucial means of communication. In a complex society, where knowledge is fragmented and dispersed, prices serve as a rapid and efficient way to coordinate and transmit information about supply and demand. By constantly adjusting in response to market dynamics, prices facilitate resource allocation, determine production levels, and guide decision-making processes for businesses and consumers alike. Thus, prices play a fundamental role in ensuring the efficient functioning of an economy based on decentralized knowledge and decision-making.

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