2023/10/23 by D. Lairez, Lairez, D. · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Data Analysis #FOS: Physical sciences #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) #Statistical Mechanics and Entropy #Statistics and Probability (physics.data-an)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2310.17665
openalex publication_date 2023/10/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Although information theory resolves inconsistencies (known under the form of famous enigmas) of the traditional approach of thermostatistics, its place in the corresponding literature is not what it deserves. This article supports the idea that this is mainly due to epistemological rather than scientific reasons: the subjectivity introduced into physics is perceived as a problem. Here is an attempt to expose and clarify where exactly this subjectivity lies: in the representation of the reality and in probabilistic inference. Two aspects which have been integrated into the practice of science for a long time and which should no longer frighten anyone, but which become explicit with information theory.