---
entity_slug: consumption_as_the_end_of_production
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:02:10.000210'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly articulates a specific economic principle that
    consumption is the ultimate purpose of production, creating a clear conceptual
    distinction from mercantile thinking. The definition is precise and non-circular,
    though it could be slightly more specific about what constitutes "consumer welfare."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This principle is explicitly stated by Smith in Book IV, Chapter 8, where
    he famously writes "Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production."
    The entity accurately captures Smith's direct critique of mercantile policies
    that prioritize producers over consumers.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Consumption" domain is perfectly appropriate for this entity, as
    it deals fundamentally with the role and primacy of consumption in economic systems.
    This is clearly a consumption-focused concept rather than belonging to production,
    trade, or other economic domains.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S5 (identity/policy) as it represents a fundamental
    principle that should guide economic policy decisions and organizational purpose.
    It also has relevance to S4 (intelligence) as it provides a framework for evaluating
    whether economic activities serve their proper end.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by revealing the fundamental
    purpose that should guide economic activity and policy evaluation. It offers a
    clear criterion for distinguishing sound economic policies from those that serve
    narrow producer interests at the expense of broader welfare.
---

# Evaluation: Consumption As The End Of Production

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly articulates a specific economic principle that consumption is the ultimate purpose of production, creating a clear conceptual distinction from mercantile thinking. The definition is precise and non-circular, though it could be slightly more specific about what constitutes "consumer welfare."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This principle is explicitly stated by Smith in Book IV, Chapter 8, where he famously writes "Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production." The entity accurately captures Smith's direct critique of mercantile policies that prioritize producers over consumers.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Consumption" domain is perfectly appropriate for this entity, as it deals fundamentally with the role and primacy of consumption in economic systems. This is clearly a consumption-focused concept rather than belonging to production, trade, or other economic domains.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S5 (identity/policy) as it represents a fundamental principle that should guide economic policy decisions and organizational purpose. It also has relevance to S4 (intelligence) as it provides a framework for evaluating whether economic activities serve their proper end.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by revealing the fundamental purpose that should guide economic activity and policy evaluation. It offers a clear criterion for distinguishing sound economic policies from those that serve narrow producer interests at the expense of broader welfare.
