Equifinality

The ability of an open system (insofar as it does attain a steady state) to reach a specified or characteristic final state from different initial states and in different ways, namely under different working conditions based on dynamic interactions in the system. In a closed system, the final state is unequivocally determined by the initial state such as in chemical equilibrium. Thus closed systems cannot have equifinality. Equifinality appears to be responsible for the primary controlability of organic systems, namely for all control or regulation which cannot be based upon predetermined structures or mechanisms and which tends to exclude such mechanisms.