---
entity_slug: prodigals_and_projectors
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:09:23.873419'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between two types of risky borrowers
    with distinct motivations - prodigals seeking consumption funds versus projectors
    pursuing speculative ventures. The concept is well-bounded and avoids circularity
    by defining the actors through their willingness to pay high interest rates and
    their economic risk profiles.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book II, Chapter
    4, where he explicitly discusses these two categories of borrowers and their role
    in his argument about interest rate regulation. The terminology and conceptual
    framework come straight from the source material.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Distribution" domain assignment is appropriate since this concept
    deals with how capital flows to different types of borrowers based on interest
    rate policies. While it could potentially fit in a "Capital" domain, distribution
    captures the allocative mechanism Smith is analyzing.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation)
    as it represents actors who respond to environmental signals (interest rates)
    in ways that can destabilize the economic system. However, the mapping is not
    as natural as more structural economic concepts.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating Smith's
    mechanism for how interest rate policy affects capital allocation and economic
    stability. It reveals the structural relationship between regulatory frameworks
    and the types of economic activity that get funded.
---

# Evaluation: Prodigals And Projectors

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between two types of risky borrowers with distinct motivations - prodigals seeking consumption funds versus projectors pursuing speculative ventures. The concept is well-bounded and avoids circularity by defining the actors through their willingness to pay high interest rates and their economic risk profiles.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book II, Chapter 4, where he explicitly discusses these two categories of borrowers and their role in his argument about interest rate regulation. The terminology and conceptual framework come straight from the source material.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The "Distribution" domain assignment is appropriate since this concept deals with how capital flows to different types of borrowers based on interest rate policies. While it could potentially fit in a "Capital" domain, distribution captures the allocative mechanism Smith is analyzing.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it represents actors who respond to environmental signals (interest rates) in ways that can destabilize the economic system. However, the mapping is not as natural as more structural economic concepts.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating Smith's mechanism for how interest rate policy affects capital allocation and economic stability. It reveals the structural relationship between regulatory frameworks and the types of economic activity that get funded.
