I think the notion of recursion is important in relation to autopoiesis.
If I am not completely mistaken then each production component in the
autopoietic
system is not recursive(!) In order for something to be recursive it must apply
directly to itself. None of the components of the autopoietic system does this.
Each component produces something different from themselves, namely another
component. It is only the fact that these production relations form a cycle that
makes the system autopoietic. (Like Escher's Drawing hands.)
The autopoietic system as a whole may, however, be considered recursive.
Each component is continuously being annihilated (intrinsic deformation). But
simultaniously every component is continuously being produced by the others.
This is what Plato would have called "changeless change", staying the same by
continuously changing.
Onar.