---
entity_slug: necessity
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:02:00.744913'
overall_score: 3.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a distinct concept about fundamental human requirements
    driving economic exchange, but it's somewhat broad and could be more precise about
    what constitutes "fundamental requirements" versus wants or desires. The connection
    between necessity and self-interested exchange is clear but could be more tightly
    defined.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual argument from Book I,
    Chapter 2, where he explicitly discusses how humans have constant need for help
    from others and cannot rely on benevolence alone. The concept directly reflects
    Smith's foundational argument about the origins of economic exchange.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Placing this in the "Consumption" domain is appropriate since necessity
    drives what people seek to consume and obtain through exchange. However, it could
    arguably also belong in a broader "Exchange" or "Motivation" domain since it's
    really about the fundamental driver of all economic activity.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is quite abstract and doesn't map naturally to any specific
    VSM system - it's more of a foundational driver that underlies all systems rather
    than belonging to a particular operational or regulatory function. It's VSM-neutral
    as it represents a basic human condition rather than an organizational mechanism.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    fundamental mechanism that drives economic exchange according to Smith - the inability
    of benevolence alone to meet human needs. It explains why self-interested exchange
    emerges as the primary economic coordination mechanism.
---

# Evaluation: Necessity

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a distinct concept about fundamental human requirements driving economic exchange, but it's somewhat broad and could be more precise about what constitutes "fundamental requirements" versus wants or desires. The connection between necessity and self-interested exchange is clear but could be more tightly defined.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual argument from Book I, Chapter 2, where he explicitly discusses how humans have constant need for help from others and cannot rely on benevolence alone. The concept directly reflects Smith's foundational argument about the origins of economic exchange.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

Placing this in the "Consumption" domain is appropriate since necessity drives what people seek to consume and obtain through exchange. However, it could arguably also belong in a broader "Exchange" or "Motivation" domain since it's really about the fundamental driver of all economic activity.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is quite abstract and doesn't map naturally to any specific VSM system - it's more of a foundational driver that underlies all systems rather than belonging to a particular operational or regulatory function. It's VSM-neutral as it represents a basic human condition rather than an organizational mechanism.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the fundamental mechanism that drives economic exchange according to Smith - the inability of benevolence alone to meet human needs. It explains why self-interested exchange emerges as the primary economic coordination mechanism.
