Abstract: MAXENT (MAXimum ENTropy principle) is a general method of statistical inference derived from and intrinsic to statistical mechanics. The probabilities it produces are “logical probabilities” – measures of the logical relationship between hypothesis and evidence. We consider the significance and applications of the “logical probability” of such probabilities. The probability of a “logical probability” is shown to be the probability of the evidence used for the “logical probability”. This suggests a hierarchy of logics, with “evidences” defined as sets of probabilities on the preceding “logic”. Applications to reliability theory are described. We also clarify the meaning of MAXENT and examine arguments in a recent article in which temperature fluctuations are introduced in thermal physics.
Publication Year: 1986
Publication Date: 1986-11-06
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 8
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot