---
entity_slug: toil_and_trouble_of_acquiring
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:31:57.658179'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures Smith's concept of the real cost of acquisition
    being the effort and difficulty involved, distinguishing it from monetary price.
    It's precise and non-circular, though could be slightly more specific about what
    constitutes "toil and trouble."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This is directly grounded in Smith's actual language from Book I, Chapter
    5, where he explicitly discusses "toil and trouble" as the real cost of commodities.
    The entity accurately reflects Smith's argument about the fundamental measure
    of value.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Placement in the "Exchange" domain is correct, as this concept is central
    to Smith's theory of value and exchange relationships. It directly relates to
    how people evaluate what they're willing to trade for goods.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is quite abstract and doesn't map naturally to any specific
    VSM system - it's more of a foundational economic principle about value measurement.
    It's VSM-neutral, representing a general cost assessment mechanism rather than
    an organizational function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating Smith's
    mechanism for understanding real versus nominal value in economic exchange. It
    reveals the underlying structure of how individuals assess the true cost of acquisition
    beyond surface prices.
---

# Evaluation: Toil And Trouble Of Acquiring

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures Smith's concept of the real cost of acquisition being the effort and difficulty involved, distinguishing it from monetary price. It's precise and non-circular, though could be slightly more specific about what constitutes "toil and trouble."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This is directly grounded in Smith's actual language from Book I, Chapter 5, where he explicitly discusses "toil and trouble" as the real cost of commodities. The entity accurately reflects Smith's argument about the fundamental measure of value.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

Placement in the "Exchange" domain is correct, as this concept is central to Smith's theory of value and exchange relationships. It directly relates to how people evaluate what they're willing to trade for goods.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This concept is quite abstract and doesn't map naturally to any specific VSM system - it's more of a foundational economic principle about value measurement. It's VSM-neutral, representing a general cost assessment mechanism rather than an organizational function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating Smith's mechanism for understanding real versus nominal value in economic exchange. It reveals the underlying structure of how individuals assess the true cost of acquisition beyond surface prices.
