![]() ![]() The generalized Carnot Principle may also be called the negentropy principle of information. Information corresponds to negative entropy, a quantity for which the author coined the word negentropy. Whenever an experiment is performed in the laboratory, it is paid for by an increase of entropy, and a generalized Carnot Principle states that the price paid in increase of entropy must always be larger than the amount of information gained. The thermodynamical entropy measures the lack of information about a certain physical system. It enables one to solve the problem of Maxwell's demon and to show a very direct connection between information and entropy. Once stated in a precise way, it can be used for many fundamental scientific discussions. This theory is based on probability considerations. This new theory was initially the result of a very practical and utilitarian discussion of certain basic problems: How is it possible to define the quantity of information contained in a message or telegram to be transmitted? How does one measure the amount of information communicated by a system of telegraphic signals? How does one compare these two quantities and discuss the efficiency of coding devices ? All of these problems, and many similar ones, are of concern to the telecommunication engineer and can now be discussed quantitatively.įrom these discussions there emerged a new theory of both mathematical and practical character. It immediately attracted a great deal of interest and has expanded very rapidly. Ī new scientific theory has been born during the last few years, the theory of information. This operational viewpoint leads to some curious consequences which are discussed in the last chapter. Here, the experimenter or the mathematician violently disagree the experimenter refuses to consider discussion of things he cannot measure. The lack in accuracy is also of very special importance in the definition of very small distances. ![]() The role of errors in scientific observations is reexamined and leads to a critical discussion of the idea of "determinism." Scientists believe in determinism, but they are completely unable to prove it, because their experiments always lack in accuracy. The last chapters, 21 and 22, are completely new and are concerned with the line of research followed by the author during the last few years. Without changing the general structure of the book a number of improvements, corrections, and explanations have been introduced in the first chapters. Since the first edition was very well received, it was decided to prepare a second edition that would incorporate a variety of new results. ![]()
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