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At the heart of this short introduction to category theory is the idea of a universal property, important throughout mathematics. After an introductory chapter giving the basic definitions, separate chapters explain three ways of expressing universal via adjoint functors, representable functors, and limits. A final chapter ties all three together. The book is suitable for use in courses or for independent study. Assuming relatively little mathematical background, it is ideal for beginning graduate students or advanced undergraduates learning category theory for the first time. For each new categorical concept, a generous supply of examples is provided, taken from different parts of mathematics. At points where the leap in abstraction is particularly great (such as the Yoneda lemma), the reader will find careful and extensive explanations. Copious exercises are included.

190 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2014

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Tom Leinster

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
25 reviews
September 29, 2016
Start here! Surely the best of its kind, next to Riehl's forthcoming 'Category Theory in Context', which covers a little more terrain. But I really appreciate how short this volume is and without sacrificing an inch of clarity. It's just what it says on the tin, going up to the general adjoint functor theorem. Now I feel well equipped to read more advanced literature...
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196 reviews21 followers
July 30, 2016
Will obviously need a re-read, but very much enjoyed the prose of this textbook! It's definitely how I would like to write something if/when I did write something.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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