The method of entropy maximization

Use of Boltzmann’sH-function has been widely advocated for the «production», via its maximization under constraints, of prior probability distributions, e.g. in the search for noninformative priors in econometrics. The procedure appears to rest on a misunderstanding of theH-function’s role in statistical mechanics, where it was first introduced by Boltzmann. This paper traces the origin and development of the method and criticizes its inappropriate and misleading applications.