---
entity_slug: forestalling
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:30:34.958824'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies forestalling as buying goods before
    they reach market with intent to resell at higher prices, specifically mentioning
    corn and historical legal prohibitions. The concept is distinct and well-bounded,
    though it could be slightly more precise about the timing aspect ("before they
    reach market").
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's actual discussion in Book
    IV, Chapter 5, where he explicitly addresses forestalling laws and argues against
    their effectiveness. The context accurately reflects Smith's position that such
    prohibitions are misguided and that merchants provide valuable services through
    this practice.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain placement is entirely appropriate, as forestalling
    is fundamentally about market transactions, pricing mechanisms, and the flow of
    goods between producers and consumers. This fits perfectly within exchange-related
    economic concepts.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Forestalling maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation)
    as it involves merchants anticipating future market conditions and scarcity, and
    potentially to S2 (coordination) as it helps distribute goods more efficiently
    across time and space. The practice demonstrates clear systemic functions within
    market operations.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important mechanism in Smith's thinking about
    market efficiency and the unintended beneficial consequences of seemingly self-interested
    behavior. It demonstrates how practices that appear manipulative can actually
    serve coordinating functions in economic systems.
---

# Evaluation: Forestalling

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies forestalling as buying goods before they reach market with intent to resell at higher prices, specifically mentioning corn and historical legal prohibitions. The concept is distinct and well-bounded, though it could be slightly more precise about the timing aspect ("before they reach market").

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's actual discussion in Book IV, Chapter 5, where he explicitly addresses forestalling laws and argues against their effectiveness. The context accurately reflects Smith's position that such prohibitions are misguided and that merchants provide valuable services through this practice.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain placement is entirely appropriate, as forestalling is fundamentally about market transactions, pricing mechanisms, and the flow of goods between producers and consumers. This fits perfectly within exchange-related economic concepts.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

Forestalling maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it involves merchants anticipating future market conditions and scarcity, and potentially to S2 (coordination) as it helps distribute goods more efficiently across time and space. The practice demonstrates clear systemic functions within market operations.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important mechanism in Smith's thinking about market efficiency and the unintended beneficial consequences of seemingly self-interested behavior. It demonstrates how practices that appear manipulative can actually serve coordinating functions in economic systems.
