Coherence in three-dimensional category theory / Nick Gurski, University of Sheffield.

Author/creator Gurski, Nick, 1980-
Format Electronic
Publication InfoCambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Descriptionvii, 278 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Supplemental ContentFull text available from Ebook Central - Academic Complete
Subjects

SeriesCambridge tracts in mathematics ; 201
Contents Machine generated contents note: Introduction; Part I. Background: 1. Bicategorical background; 2. Coherence for bicategories; 3. Gray-categories; Part II. Tricategories: 4. The algebraic definition of tricategory; 5. Examples; 6. Free constructions; 7. Basic structure; 8. Gray-categories and tricategories; 9. Coherence via Yoneda; 10. Coherence via free constructions; Part III. Gray monads: 11. Codescent in Gray-categories; 12. Codescent as a weighted colimit; 13. Gray-monads and their algebras; 14. The reflection of lax algebras into strict algebras; 15. A general coherence result; Bibliography; Index.
Abstract "Dimension three is an important test-bed for hypotheses in higher category theory and occupies something of a unique position in the categorical landscape. At the heart of matters is the coherence theorem, of which this book provides a definitive treatment, as well as covering related results. Along the way the author treats such material as the Gray tensor product and gives a construction of the fundamental 3-groupoid of a space. The book serves as a comprehensive introduction, covering essential material for any student of coherence and assuming only a basic understanding of higher category theory. It is also a reference point for many key concepts in the field and therefore a vital resource for researchers wishing to apply higher categories or coherence results in fields such as algebraic topology or theoretical computer science"-- Provided by publisher.
Abstract "In the study of higher categories, dimension three occupies an interesting position on the landscape of higher dimensional category theory. From the perspective of a "hands-on" approach to defining weak n-categories, tricategories represent the most complicated kind of higher category that the community at large seems comfortable working with. "-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 273-276) and index.
Access restrictionAvailable only to authorized users.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web
Genre/formElectronic books.
LCCN 2012051079
ISBN9781107034891 (hardback)