---
entity_slug: artificer_servant_status
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T00:35:06.243951'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes artificers as skilled craftsmen
    dependent on customers for subsistence, contrasting them with independent agricultural
    producers. The concept is well-bounded and non-circular, though it could be slightly
    more precise about what constitutes "skilled craftsmen."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's discussion in Book III, Chapter
    1, where he explicitly contrasts the dependent status of artificers with the independence
    of agricultural producers and explains why artificers in colonies prefer to become
    planters. The concept emerges clearly from the source text.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept
    addresses fundamental economic relationships between different types of producers
    and their modes of subsistence. It represents a core theoretical distinction in
    Smith''s analysis of economic development patterns.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S1 (as
    it describes primary economic operations and producer relationships) and S4 (as
    it relates to adaptation patterns in colonial environments). However, it's more
    of a structural economic relationship than a clear system function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    mechanism behind occupational choices and economic development patterns in colonies.
    It reveals how dependency relationships drive economic behavior and shape territorial
    development, making it a valuable analytical concept.
---

# Evaluation: Artificer Servant Status

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes artificers as skilled craftsmen dependent on customers for subsistence, contrasting them with independent agricultural producers. The concept is well-bounded and non-circular, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "skilled craftsmen."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's discussion in Book III, Chapter 1, where he explicitly contrasts the dependent status of artificers with the independence of agricultural producers and explains why artificers in colonies prefer to become planters. The concept emerges clearly from the source text.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept addresses fundamental economic relationships between different types of producers and their modes of subsistence. It represents a core theoretical distinction in Smith's analysis of economic development patterns.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S1 (as it describes primary economic operations and producer relationships) and S4 (as it relates to adaptation patterns in colonial environments). However, it's more of a structural economic relationship than a clear system function.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism behind occupational choices and economic development patterns in colonies. It reveals how dependency relationships drive economic behavior and shape territorial development, making it a valuable analytical concept.
