---
entity_slug: commercial_maxims_inversion
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:58:45.700501'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures a specific phenomenon - the inversion
    of sound economic principles that leads nations to view others' prosperity as
    threatening rather than beneficial. It's precise in describing both the mindset
    and its policy consequences, though "perverse economic principles" could be slightly
    more specific.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's critique of mercantile theory
    throughout Book IV, where he repeatedly argues that mercantilism teaches nations
    to view trade as zero-sum and to pursue policies that harm neighbors. The "inversion"
    language accurately captures Smith's argument that mercantilism turns natural
    economic reasoning upside down.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain since this represents a fundamental
    theoretical critique of mercantile thinking that underlies Smith''s broader argument
    about trade policy. It''s a meta-level concept about how economic reasoning itself
    can be corrupted.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it describes
    how nations misinterpret their economic environment and relationships with other
    nations. It could also relate to S5 (identity/policy) in terms of how nations
    define their interests, making it quite relevant to VSM analysis.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by identifying the
    underlying logical error that drives mercantile policy - the fundamental misunderstanding
    of trade as zero-sum rather than positive-sum. It illuminates why nations consistently
    adopt self-defeating trade policies despite evidence of their failure.
---

# Evaluation: Commercial Maxims Inversion

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures a specific phenomenon - the inversion of sound economic principles that leads nations to view others' prosperity as threatening rather than beneficial. It's precise in describing both the mindset and its policy consequences, though "perverse economic principles" could be slightly more specific.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's critique of mercantile theory throughout Book IV, where he repeatedly argues that mercantilism teaches nations to view trade as zero-sum and to pursue policies that harm neighbors. The "inversion" language accurately captures Smith's argument that mercantilism turns natural economic reasoning upside down.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain since this represents a fundamental theoretical critique of mercantile thinking that underlies Smith's broader argument about trade policy. It's a meta-level concept about how economic reasoning itself can be corrupted.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it describes how nations misinterpret their economic environment and relationships with other nations. It could also relate to S5 (identity/policy) in terms of how nations define their interests, making it quite relevant to VSM analysis.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by identifying the underlying logical error that drives mercantile policy - the fundamental misunderstanding of trade as zero-sum rather than positive-sum. It illuminates why nations consistently adopt self-defeating trade policies despite evidence of their failure.
