---
entity_slug: productive_and_unproductive_labour
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:09:57.687209'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between labour that creates lasting,
    vendible commodities versus labour that provides services without durable output.
    The distinction is precise and non-circular, though it relies on the somewhat
    subjective concept of "lasting value."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This distinction is explicitly central to Book II, Chapter 3 of The Wealth
    of Nations, where Smith develops this framework extensively with detailed examples
    and explanations. The entity accurately reflects Smith's own analytical categories
    and terminology.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Production" domain is perfectly appropriate since this distinction
    fundamentally concerns how different types of labour contribute to or detract
    from the productive capacity of an economy. This is core production theory in
    Smith's framework.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept has some relevance to S1 (primary operations) as it distinguishes
    value-creating activities, but it's more of a general analytical framework than
    something that maps clearly to specific VSM systems. It's somewhat abstract for
    direct VSM placement.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides crucial explanatory power for understanding Smith's
    theory of capital accumulation, economic growth, and why different economic activities
    have different effects on national wealth. It illuminates the fundamental mechanism
    by which labour contributes to or detracts from economic development.
---

# Evaluation: Productive And Unproductive Labour

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between labour that creates lasting, vendible commodities versus labour that provides services without durable output. The distinction is precise and non-circular, though it relies on the somewhat subjective concept of "lasting value."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This distinction is explicitly central to Book II, Chapter 3 of The Wealth of Nations, where Smith develops this framework extensively with detailed examples and explanations. The entity accurately reflects Smith's own analytical categories and terminology.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Production" domain is perfectly appropriate since this distinction fundamentally concerns how different types of labour contribute to or detract from the productive capacity of an economy. This is core production theory in Smith's framework.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This concept has some relevance to S1 (primary operations) as it distinguishes value-creating activities, but it's more of a general analytical framework than something that maps clearly to specific VSM systems. It's somewhat abstract for direct VSM placement.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides crucial explanatory power for understanding Smith's theory of capital accumulation, economic growth, and why different economic activities have different effects on national wealth. It illuminates the fundamental mechanism by which labour contributes to or detracts from economic development.
