---
entity_slug: waggon_way_through_the_air_metaphor
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:38:02.985675'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures Smith's specific metaphor comparing paper
    money to an aerial waggon-way that frees up highways (gold/silver) for productive
    use. It's precise and non-circular, though could benefit from slightly more detail
    about the mechanism.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This is directly grounded in Smith's actual text from Book II, Chapter
    2, where he uses this vivid and memorable metaphor to explain the efficiency gains
    from paper money substitution. The entity accurately represents Smith's own analogy.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this metaphor
    illustrates fundamental theoretical principles about money, capital allocation,
    and economic efficiency rather than specific policy prescriptions or empirical
    observations.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This metaphor has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it
    describes how an economy can adapt more efficiently through financial innovation,
    but it's primarily a pedagogical device rather than a structural mechanism that
    maps clearly to VSM systems.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The metaphor provides genuine explanatory value by making abstract concepts
    about capital efficiency and monetary substitution more concrete and understandable.
    It illuminates the structural relationship between different forms of money and
    productive capacity.
---

# Evaluation: Waggon Way Through The Air Metaphor

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures Smith's specific metaphor comparing paper money to an aerial waggon-way that frees up highways (gold/silver) for productive use. It's precise and non-circular, though could benefit from slightly more detail about the mechanism.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This is directly grounded in Smith's actual text from Book II, Chapter 2, where he uses this vivid and memorable metaphor to explain the efficiency gains from paper money substitution. The entity accurately represents Smith's own analogy.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this metaphor illustrates fundamental theoretical principles about money, capital allocation, and economic efficiency rather than specific policy prescriptions or empirical observations.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This metaphor has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it describes how an economy can adapt more efficiently through financial innovation, but it's primarily a pedagogical device rather than a structural mechanism that maps clearly to VSM systems.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The metaphor provides genuine explanatory value by making abstract concepts about capital efficiency and monetary substitution more concrete and understandable. It illuminates the structural relationship between different forms of money and productive capacity.
