On recursion and its varieties. Formal, Cognitive and Use Aspects of Recursion in Language

Abstract

Recursion is presented in this book as a varied and multiform phenomenon, far from the supposed singularity it seemed to have in the field of mathematics or linguistics. Although plural, it also presents similarities, which have to do with a property of the human cognitive system that permeates many of its thoughts and actions. Usually, science tries to find what is general, setting aside what is individual or specific, adapting reality to models. But sometimes it is not possible to find regularities, because, as it is popularly said, reality rebels and makes us notice the opposite: singularity, diversity. Studies on recursion move between these two poles, an idealistic view of what should be and a realistic view of what is found. Both perspectives are analyzed extensively in this text, showing recursion as a species-specific property that is, at the same time, culturally influenced.