Bücher von F. William (State University of New York Lawvere

In the last 60 years, the use of the notion of category has led to a remarkable unification and simplification of mathematics. Conceptual Mathematics introduces this tool for the learning, development, and use of mathematics, to beginning students and also to practising mathematical scientists. This book provides a skeleton key that makes explicit some concepts and procedures that are common to all branches of pure and applied mathematics. The treatment does not presuppose knowledge of specific fields, but rather develops, from basic definitions, such elementary categories as discrete dynamical systems and directed graphs; the fundamental ideas are then illuminated by examples in these categories. This second edition provides links with more advanced topics of possible study. In the new appendices and annotated bibliography the reader will find concise introductions to adjoint functors and geometrical structures, as well as sketches of relevant historical developments.

In this book, first published in 2003, categorical algebra is used to build a foundation for the study of geometry, analysis, and algebra. Starting with intuitive descriptions of mathematically and physically common phenomena, it leads up to a precise specification of the Category of Sets. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students.