The Concept of Recursion in Cognitive Studies. Part I: From Mathematics to Cognition

Abstract

The paper discusses different approaches to the concept of recursion and its evolution from mathematics to cognitive studies. Such approaches are observed as: self‑embedded structures, multiple hierarchical levels using the same rule, and embedding structures within structures. The paper also discusses the concept of meta‑recursion. Examining meta‑recursion may enable understanding of the ability to apply recursive processes to multilayered hierarchies, with recursive procedures acting as generators. These types of recursive processes could be the fundamental elements of general cognition. The paper also briefly discusses the role of probability in current recursive approaches to cognition. It is conjenctured that the hierarchical mechanism of cognition demonstrates a kind of meta‑recursion in the sense that recursive neural loops may support some primitive recursive cognitive processes, which in turn account for recursiveness of language grammars, space orientation, social cognition, etc. The study indicates that using multiple approaches to understand the phenomenon of recursion can provide a more complete understanding of the complexity of recursion, as it plays a significant role in fields like language, mathematics, and cognitive science.