Titre : About the maximum entropy principle from the virtual work principle 

Auteurs : Qiuping A. Wang
, Qiong Ye,  

Revue : Entropy: Thermodynamics – Energy – Environment – Economy  

Numéro : Special issue LILA 3 

Volume : 7 

Date : 2026/04/10 

DOI : 10.21494/ISTE.OP.2026.1435 

ISSN : 2634-1476 

Résumé : The principle of maximum entropy (maxent) has been proposed as mathematical inferential method based on the subjectivity of probability distributions and of the associated information or entropy. In this work, we argue that, if we apply the fundamental principle of virtual work of mechanics to the random dynamics of thermodynamic systems, the vanishing virtual work on the whole system naturally yields equilibrium state maximizing thermodynamic entropy. This approach resonates with the objective view of entropy and the non-anthropocentric character of thermodynamics theory, and advocates considering maxent as a physical law governing the behaviors of entropy. 

Éditeur : ISTE OpenScience