---
entity_slug: public_fiars
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:12:53.320746'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying public fiars as
    official annual grain price valuations conducted by Scottish assize courts with
    specific purposes (standardizing corn-to-money rent conversions). The only minor
    imprecision is that it could better specify the exact legal authority and scope
    of these valuations.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This appears well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of Scottish grain
    pricing mechanisms in Book I, Chapter 11, where he examines various attempts at
    price regulation. Smith would likely have discussed such institutional arrangements
    when analyzing agricultural markets and rent conversions in Scotland.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the perfect domain placement for this entity, as public
    fiars represent a clear example of government intervention in market pricing mechanisms.
    This is precisely the type of regulatory institution Smith would analyze when
    discussing state involvement in economic affairs.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Public fiars map reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as
    they represent systematic monitoring and standardization of prices within the
    economic system. However, they also have elements of S2 (coordination) in standardizing
    price information across markets, making the VSM placement somewhat ambiguous.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides good explanatory value by illuminating a specific
    institutional mechanism for price regulation and market coordination that Smith
    would use to analyze the effectiveness of government intervention versus market
    forces. It represents a concrete example of how societies attempt to manage agricultural
    market volatility through formal institutions.
---

# Evaluation: Public Fiars

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying public fiars as official annual grain price valuations conducted by Scottish assize courts with specific purposes (standardizing corn-to-money rent conversions). The only minor imprecision is that it could better specify the exact legal authority and scope of these valuations.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This appears well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of Scottish grain pricing mechanisms in Book I, Chapter 11, where he examines various attempts at price regulation. Smith would likely have discussed such institutional arrangements when analyzing agricultural markets and rent conversions in Scotland.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the perfect domain placement for this entity, as public fiars represent a clear example of government intervention in market pricing mechanisms. This is precisely the type of regulatory institution Smith would analyze when discussing state involvement in economic affairs.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

Public fiars map reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as they represent systematic monitoring and standardization of prices within the economic system. However, they also have elements of S2 (coordination) in standardizing price information across markets, making the VSM placement somewhat ambiguous.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides good explanatory value by illuminating a specific institutional mechanism for price regulation and market coordination that Smith would use to analyze the effectiveness of government intervention versus market forces. It represents a concrete example of how societies attempt to manage agricultural market volatility through formal institutions.
