multiple realizability

In the philosophy of mind, multiple realizability is the concept that a single mental state can be brought about by various physical states or systems. This idea challenges the strict identity theory, which posits a one-to-one correspondence between mental states and specific physical states.123

Functionalism, a prominent theory influenced by this concept, defines mental states by their causal roles—what causes them, what other mental states they lead to, and what behaviors they produce—rather than by their physical composition. This allows for mental states like pain, for instance, to be realized in different ways, whether in humans, animals, or even hypothetical extraterrestrial or artificial systems. The term "realizable" itself means capable of being achieved or carried out.1245