---
entity_slug: coarser_and_finer_materials
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:43:46.873829'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between coarser (less processed,
    less valuable) and finer (more refined, more valuable) materials, establishing
    a precise qualitative and economic distinction. The connection to capital requirements
    adds specificity, though the definition could be slightly more concrete about
    what constitutes "processing" or "refinement."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    6, where he explicitly uses this comparison to illustrate how profits relate to
    capital employed rather than labor supervision. The context provided accurately
    reflects Smith's actual argument about manufacturing operations using different
    quality materials.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Production" domain assignment is entirely appropriate, as this concept
    deals directly with manufacturing processes, raw material inputs, and the relationship
    between material quality and capital requirements. This is fundamentally about
    the production side of economic activity.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S1 (primary
    operations) as it concerns the actual production processes and resource inputs.
    However, it's somewhat VSM-neutral as it describes material characteristics rather
    than organizational functions or information flows central to viable systems.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating Smith's
    mechanism for understanding profit distribution and capital allocation across
    different types of manufacturing. It reveals a structural relationship between
    material quality, capital requirements, and profit patterns that goes beyond surface-level
    description.
---

# Evaluation: Coarser And Finer Materials

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between coarser (less processed, less valuable) and finer (more refined, more valuable) materials, establishing a precise qualitative and economic distinction. The connection to capital requirements adds specificity, though the definition could be slightly more concrete about what constitutes "processing" or "refinement."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 6, where he explicitly uses this comparison to illustrate how profits relate to capital employed rather than labor supervision. The context provided accurately reflects Smith's actual argument about manufacturing operations using different quality materials.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Production" domain assignment is entirely appropriate, as this concept deals directly with manufacturing processes, raw material inputs, and the relationship between material quality and capital requirements. This is fundamentally about the production side of economic activity.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S1 (primary operations) as it concerns the actual production processes and resource inputs. However, it's somewhat VSM-neutral as it describes material characteristics rather than organizational functions or information flows central to viable systems.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating Smith's mechanism for understanding profit distribution and capital allocation across different types of manufacturing. It reveals a structural relationship between material quality, capital requirements, and profit patterns that goes beyond surface-level description.
