---
entity_slug: requisite_variety_in_banking
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:17:25.652373'
overall_score: 2.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition conflates the cybernetic concept of "requisite variety"
    (from Ashby's Law) with basic banking prudence, creating conceptual confusion.
    Smith discusses banking reserves and lending practices but does not frame these
    in terms of matching "variety of demands" in the cybernetic sense.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does discuss banking reserves and prudent lending in Book
    II, Chapter 2, he does not use or imply the concept of "requisite variety" as
    a organizing principle. This appears to be a modern cybernetic framework imposed
    on Smith's more straightforward discussion of banking stability.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain is appropriate since Smith's discussion of banking
    practices in this chapter does concern regulatory and stability issues. The banking
    context is also correctly identified from the source material.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity could map to S3 (internal regulation) given its focus on maintaining
    stability through reserves and lending practices. However, the forced cybernetic
    framing makes the VSM connection feel artificial rather than natural.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity adds little genuine explanatory power beyond restating that
    banks need adequate reserves and prudent practices for stability. The "requisite
    variety" framing obscures rather than illuminates Smith's actual insights about
    banking operations.
---

# Evaluation: Requisite Variety In Banking

## definition_precision — 2.0 / 5.0

The definition conflates the cybernetic concept of "requisite variety" (from Ashby's Law) with basic banking prudence, creating conceptual confusion. Smith discusses banking reserves and lending practices but does not frame these in terms of matching "variety of demands" in the cybernetic sense.

## source_grounding — 2.0 / 5.0

While Smith does discuss banking reserves and prudent lending in Book II, Chapter 2, he does not use or imply the concept of "requisite variety" as a organizing principle. This appears to be a modern cybernetic framework imposed on Smith's more straightforward discussion of banking stability.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain is appropriate since Smith's discussion of banking practices in this chapter does concern regulatory and stability issues. The banking context is also correctly identified from the source material.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

The entity could map to S3 (internal regulation) given its focus on maintaining stability through reserves and lending practices. However, the forced cybernetic framing makes the VSM connection feel artificial rather than natural.

## explanatory_value — 2.0 / 5.0

The entity adds little genuine explanatory power beyond restating that banks need adequate reserves and prudent practices for stability. The "requisite variety" framing obscures rather than illuminates Smith's actual insights about banking operations.
