Bayesian methods

Jaynes E.T.

We note the main points of history? as a framework on which to hang many background remarks concerning the nature and motivation of Bayesian/Maximum Entropy methods/ Experience has shown that these are needed in order to understand recent work and problems. A more complete account of the history? with many more details and references, is given in Jaynes ( 1978).The following discussion is essentially nontechnical: the aim is only to convey a little introductory “feel” for our outlook, purpose, and terminology, and to alert newcomers to common pitfalls of misunderstanding.