Principles of uncertainty: What are they? Why do we need them?

Abstract

The meaning and utility of three principles of uncertainty is discussed. These principles, which are referred to as a principle of minimum uncertainty, a principle of maximum uncertainty, and a principle of uncertainty invariance, depend on the theory in which uncertainty is conceptualized. Due to a connection between uncertainty and information, the principles may also be conceived as principles of information. To make the principles operational in a particular uncertainty theory, we need to measure the amount of relevant uncertainty (and associated information) in each problem situation describable within the theory. Well justified measures of uncertainty have thus far been established only in some uncertainty theories. These theories, their uncertainty measures, and the associated uncertainty principles are overviewed in the paper.