Equifinality

Equifinality is the principle that in

In closed systems, a direct cause-and-effect relationship exists between the initial condition and the final state of the system: When a computer's 'on' switch is pushed, the system powers up. Open systems (such as biological and social systems), however, operate quite differently. The idea of equifinality suggests that similar results may be achieved with different initial conditions and in many different ways.^[1] This phenomenon has also been referred to as isotelesis^[2] (from Greek ἴσος isos "equal" and τέλεσις telesis: "the intelligent direction of effort toward the achievement of an end") when in games involving superrationality.

Overview

In business, equifinality implies that firms may establish similar competitive advantages based on substantially different competencies.

In

In archaeology, equifinality refers to how different historical processes may lead to a similar outcome or social formation. For example, the development of agriculture or the bow and arrow occurred independently in many different areas of the world, yet for different reasons and through different historical trajectories. This highlights that generalizations based on cross-cultural comparisons cannot be made uncritically.

In

• GLUE – Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (when modeling environmental systems there are many different model structures and parameter sets that may be behavioural or acceptable in reproducing the behaviour of that system)^[5]
• TMTOWTDI
  – Computer programming maxim: "there is more than one way to do it"
• Underdetermination
• Consilience
• Convergent evolution
• Teleonomy
• Degeneracy (biology)
• Kruskal's principle
• Multicollinearity

References