On the relation between the Maximum Entropy Principle and the Principle of Least Effort

Abstract

The Maximum Entropy Principle (MEP) maximizes the entropy subject to the constraint that the effort remains constant. The Principle of Least Effort (PLE) minimizes the effort subject to the constraint that the entropy remains constant. The paper investigates the relation between these two principles. It is shown that (MEP) is equivalent with the principle "(PLE) or (PME)" where (PME) is (in this paper introduced) Principle of Most effort, meaning that the effort is maximized subject to the constraint that the entropy remains constant.