Constrained dynamics both orthograde and contragrade

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Deacon's (2011) Incomplete Nature is a formative work within the field of emergence theory, and it will have long-lasting implications. What I will present here are two ways of interpreting Deacon's work on emergence. The two interpretations have very different implications for how one would apply Deacon's work in subsequent interdisciplinary investigations. To demonstrate this point, I will outline the five meanings of the word “emergence” and the four approaches to emergence theory established by Clayton (2004) in his book Mind & Emergence. I will consider how Clayton applies these categories to Deacon's work, and then I will offer an alternative application of the same categories. In my alternative application, Deacon's account of orthograde change, contragrade change, and constraint are crucial.