---
entity_slug: butcher_trade
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:39:31.512860'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and captures a distinct concept - the specific
    trade of slaughtering and selling meat with its characteristic of being disagreeable
    yet profitable. It avoids circularity and clearly distinguishes this trade from
    other commercial activities.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    10, where he explicitly discusses the butcher trade as an example of disagreeable
    employment that commands higher profits. The characterization as "brutal and odious"
    reflects Smith's actual language and analysis.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Distribution" domain placement is appropriate since this concerns
    how profits are distributed across different trades based on their characteristics.
    It could potentially fit in a labor/employment domain, but distribution captures
    the profit allocation aspect Smith emphasizes.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps most naturally to S1 (primary operations) as a specific
    economic activity, but it also has S4 relevance in demonstrating how market intelligence
    about trade desirability affects profit distribution. However, it's primarily
    an example rather than a systemic mechanism.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illustrating Smith's
    principle that disagreeable trades earn compensating differentials - a key mechanism
    in how market forces distribute profits. It's not merely descriptive but demonstrates
    an important structural economic relation.
---

# Evaluation: Butcher Trade

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and captures a distinct concept - the specific trade of slaughtering and selling meat with its characteristic of being disagreeable yet profitable. It avoids circularity and clearly distinguishes this trade from other commercial activities.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 10, where he explicitly discusses the butcher trade as an example of disagreeable employment that commands higher profits. The characterization as "brutal and odious" reflects Smith's actual language and analysis.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The "Distribution" domain placement is appropriate since this concerns how profits are distributed across different trades based on their characteristics. It could potentially fit in a labor/employment domain, but distribution captures the profit allocation aspect Smith emphasizes.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity maps most naturally to S1 (primary operations) as a specific economic activity, but it also has S4 relevance in demonstrating how market intelligence about trade desirability affects profit distribution. However, it's primarily an example rather than a systemic mechanism.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illustrating Smith's principle that disagreeable trades earn compensating differentials - a key mechanism in how market forces distribute profits. It's not merely descriptive but demonstrates an important structural economic relation.
