---
entity_slug: mediterranean_civilisation_pattern
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:50:08.456117'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies a specific historical pattern of economic
    development tied to Mediterranean geography, avoiding circularity and capturing
    a distinct concept about how natural transportation advantages enable early specialization.
    The definition could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "early economic
    development" but is otherwise well-bounded.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    3, where he explicitly discusses how the Mediterranean's geographical features
    (smoothness, islands, proximity of shores) made it the first site of civilization
    due to accessible navigation. The entity accurately reflects Smith's argument
    without introducing external concepts.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this entity
    represents a broad theoretical principle about how geographical advantages create
    conditions for economic development and specialization. It''s not specific to
    any particular economic mechanism but rather illustrates a foundational concept
    about the relationship between geography and economic progress.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is largely VSM-neutral as it describes a historical pattern
    rather than an operational system component. While it might loosely relate to
    S4 (environmental adaptation) in terms of how civilizations adapt to geographical
    advantages, it doesn't naturally map to specific VSM systems and remains too abstract
    for clear VSM placement.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism
    through which geographical advantages (navigable waters) create structural conditions
    for trade, specialization, and economic development. It demonstrates a causal
    relationship between natural endowments and economic progress, though it represents
    more of a historical example than a generalizable economic principle.
---

# Evaluation: Mediterranean Civilisation Pattern

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies a specific historical pattern of economic development tied to Mediterranean geography, avoiding circularity and capturing a distinct concept about how natural transportation advantages enable early specialization. The definition could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "early economic development" but is otherwise well-bounded.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 3, where he explicitly discusses how the Mediterranean's geographical features (smoothness, islands, proximity of shores) made it the first site of civilization due to accessible navigation. The entity accurately reflects Smith's argument without introducing external concepts.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this entity represents a broad theoretical principle about how geographical advantages create conditions for economic development and specialization. It's not specific to any particular economic mechanism but rather illustrates a foundational concept about the relationship between geography and economic progress.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is largely VSM-neutral as it describes a historical pattern rather than an operational system component. While it might loosely relate to S4 (environmental adaptation) in terms of how civilizations adapt to geographical advantages, it doesn't naturally map to specific VSM systems and remains too abstract for clear VSM placement.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism through which geographical advantages (navigable waters) create structural conditions for trade, specialization, and economic development. It demonstrates a causal relationship between natural endowments and economic progress, though it represents more of a historical example than a generalizable economic principle.
