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Recursive functions are functions that call themselves to solve problems by breaking them down into simpler, similar subproblems. Each recursive call works on a smaller piece of the overall task, and a clearly defined base case stops the recursion once the simplest instance is reached, ensuring the process eventually terminates. This concept mirrors philosophical ideas of self-reference and reductionism, where complex wholes are understood in terms of simpler, self-similar parts.

Lisp (short for “LISt Processing”) is a family of programming languages, originally developed in the late 1950s by John McCarthy. Known for its unique, parenthesis-heavy syntax and powerful features for symbolic computation and recursive functions, Lisp has been influential in artificial intelligence research and the development of programming language theory.