The Metaphysics of Recursion

Harshvardhan Jha
2 min readFeb 25, 2024

--

Artistic illustration of an Infinity mirror by francescoch

Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem. Each recursive solution consists of two fundamental components — the base condition and the recursive call. This approach imparts a valuable lesson — instead of confronting the problem directly, it’s more effective to dissect it into manageable subproblems and focus on resolving each subproblem, eventually leading to the resolution of the original problem.

Go within, explore the depths of your being. In that silent place, you will find the spark of divine wisdom echoing infinitely.

Base Condition :

The base condition, an integral part of any recursive solution, is the stopping condition that prevents the function from calling itself indefinitely. It can be compared to a lighthouse, providing direction and clarity on our intended destination. Without it, we risk getting trapped in an infinite loop, aimlessly moving without reaching a resolution. It acts as an anchor, an overarching goal necessary to guide us along the right path. The base condition also signifies that often it’s the small things in life that have the most significant influence on outcomes. By focusing on the fundamental aspects of the task at hand rather than giving in to distractions masquerading as important tasks, we are destined to achieve our goals. The base condition of a recursive algorithm imparts another crucial lesson about life, the significance of knowing when to halt or break free from a repetitive cycle, abandon goals that no longer serve us, or pause to prioritize self-care.

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.

Recursive Call :

The recursive call, another crucial aspect of recursion, involves the function invoking a modified version of itself. This symbolizes the idea that answers to our problems often lie within us. Instead of seeking external solutions, we need to turn inward for guidance. When implementing a recursive algorithm, we trust that each recursive call will eventually lead to a base condition, helping us solve the problem at hand. Similarly, in life we need to trust the process by accepting that things will unfold as they should. Sometimes, we have to let go of control and allow events to play out naturally. In recursion, every recursive call operates within its unique context and utilizes its own set of variables, all of which are discarded once the base condition is reached. This mirrors the impermanent nature of existence, where everything is transient. Clinging to things can only lead to suffering. Thus, learning to accept and embrace impermanence can lead to greater peace of mind.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

Sign up to discover human stories that deepen your understanding of the world.

Free

Distraction-free reading. No ads.

Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights.

Tell your story. Find your audience.

Membership

Read member-only stories

Support writers you read most

Earn money for your writing

Listen to audio narrations

Read offline with the Medium app

--

--

Harshvardhan Jha
Harshvardhan Jha

Written by Harshvardhan Jha

Bruce Wayne is my favorite superhero. I like Peter Parker more than Spider-Man.

Responses (1)

Write a response