ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concept of recursion as formulated by the theory of universal grammar. It shows how recursion, and the related concept of merge, are insufficient models for an understanding of the production, processing, and acquisition of language. It also demonstrates how recursion is limited to four or maximum five levels of conscious reflection in the speech act, and that its putative infinite potential is an inappropriate extrapolation from written language and computer science that becomes imposed upon language origin, processing, and production. It also shows how recursion and metacognition are homologous constructs, and how they are involved in the generation of consciousness.
