We propose a mathematical model of the memory retrieval process based on dy
namical systems over a metric space of p-adic numbers representing a config
uration 'space of ideas' in which two ideas are close if they have a suffic
iently long common root. Our aim is to suggest a new way of conceptualizing
human memory retrieval that might be useful for simulation purposes or for
the construction of artificial intelligence devices, as well as for a deep
er understanding of the process itself. The dynamical system is assumed to
be located in a blackbox processing unit (the 'subconscious') and controlle
d by an interface control unit (the 'conscious') that fixes parameters in t
he dynamical system and starts its iteration by sending an initial generati
ng idea to it. We show that even simple p-adic dynamical systems admit beha
vioral scenarios that could explain some of the essential features of the h
uman memory retrieval process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All r
ights reserved.