---
entity_slug: economic_system_explanation
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:15:54.297748'
overall_score: 2.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is overly broad and circular, essentially defining "economic
    system explanation" as "explaining economic systems." It lacks specificity about
    what constitutes such an explanation versus other forms of economic discourse
    or analysis.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does indicate his intention to explain commercial and agricultural
    systems in Book IV, the entity extrapolates this into a general concept of "economic
    system explanation" that goes beyond what the source text specifically discusses.
    The grounding is present but stretched.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concerns
    Smith''s methodological approach to explaining economic systems rather than specific
    operational mechanisms. The domain assignment correctly captures the meta-theoretical
    nature of the concept.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is too abstract and meta-analytical to map naturally to any
    specific VSM system. It describes the act of explanation itself rather than functional
    economic mechanisms that would correspond to S1-S5 operations.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides minimal explanatory power, essentially naming the
    fact that Smith explains economic systems without illuminating any specific mechanisms
    or structural relations. It captures a methodological observation rather than
    substantive economic insight.
---

# Evaluation: Economic System Explanation

## definition_precision — 2.0 / 5.0

The definition is overly broad and circular, essentially defining "economic system explanation" as "explaining economic systems." It lacks specificity about what constitutes such an explanation versus other forms of economic discourse or analysis.

## source_grounding — 3.0 / 5.0

While Smith does indicate his intention to explain commercial and agricultural systems in Book IV, the entity extrapolates this into a general concept of "economic system explanation" that goes beyond what the source text specifically discusses. The grounding is present but stretched.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concerns Smith's methodological approach to explaining economic systems rather than specific operational mechanisms. The domain assignment correctly captures the meta-theoretical nature of the concept.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is too abstract and meta-analytical to map naturally to any specific VSM system. It describes the act of explanation itself rather than functional economic mechanisms that would correspond to S1-S5 operations.

## explanatory_value — 2.0 / 5.0

The entity provides minimal explanatory power, essentially naming the fact that Smith explains economic systems without illuminating any specific mechanisms or structural relations. It captures a methodological observation rather than substantive economic insight.
