equifinaladj.
/ɛkwɪˈfʌɪnəl/ Having the same end or result.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective] > coming to an end > having the same end or result
equifinal1961
1961 in N. Webster
1968 A. Stinchcombe Constructing Social Theories iii. 81 Such an equifinal pattern suggests a functional explanation of organizational behavior in terms of uncertainty reduction.
1975 Gen. Systems 20 112/1 Cultural materialism is clearly equifinal, not homotaxial.
Derivatives
ˌequifiˈnality n. the state or condition of being equifinal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [noun] > coming or bringing to an end > condition of having the same end or result
equifinality1908
1908 H. Driesch Sci. & Philos. of Organism i. 159 I have told you..that Tubularia..offers us a second problem of great general importance, the problem of the Equifinality of Restitutions. There indeed may occur restitutions, starting from one and the same initial state and leading to one and the same end, but using very different means, following very different ways [etc.].
1987 Jrnl. Lit. Semantics 16 110 The argument for equifinality in the reading process emphasizes the way systematic constraint makes interpretational consensus possible.
equiˈfinally adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adverb] > having the same end or result
equifinally1950
1950 Science 13 Jan. 25/1 Analysis shows that closed systems cannot behave equifinally.
1966 S. Beer Decision & Control xii. 288 It is possible to prove in cybernetics that if a system..is to maintain stability under disturbances not foreseen by the designer, it must behave ‘equifinally’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1993; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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adj.1908