Next Article in Journal
Generalized Complexity and Classical-Quantum Transition
Previous Article in Journal
Structural Entropy to Characterize Small Proteins (70 aa) and Their Interactions
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

The Insights of Algorithmic Entropy

Victoria Management School, Victoria University, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
Entropy 2009, 11(1), 85-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/e11010085
Received: 18 November 2008 / Accepted: 20 January 2009 / Published: 4 March 2009

Abstract

The algorithmic entropy of a system, the length of the shortest algorithm that specifies the system’s exact state adds some missing pieces to the entropy jigsaw. Because the approach embodies the traditional entropies as a special case, problematic issues such as the coarse graining framework of the Gibbs’ entropy manifest themselves in a different and more manageable form, appearing as the description of the system and the choice of the universal computing machine. The provisional algorithmic entropy combines the best information about the state of the system together with any underlying uncertainty; the latter represents the Shannon entropy. The algorithmic approach also specifies structure that the traditional entropies take as given. Furthermore, algorithmic entropy provides insights into how a system can maintain itself off equilibrium, leading to Ashby’s law of requisite variety. This review shows how the algorithmic approach can provide insights into real world systems, by outlining recent work on how replicating structures that generate order can evolve to maintain a system far from equilibrium.
Keywords: Algorithmic entropy; Non equilibrium thermodynamics; Complex systems; Requisite variety Algorithmic entropy; Non equilibrium thermodynamics; Complex systems; Requisite variety

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Devine, S. The Insights of Algorithmic Entropy. Entropy 2009, 11, 85-110. https://doi.org/10.3390/e11010085

AMA Style

Devine S. The Insights of Algorithmic Entropy. Entropy. 2009; 11(1):85-110. https://doi.org/10.3390/e11010085

Chicago/Turabian Style

Devine, Sean. 2009. "The Insights of Algorithmic Entropy" Entropy 11, no. 1: 85-110. https://doi.org/10.3390/e11010085

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop