Algebraic Geometry 2: Philosophizing Categories
Faithful functor: Let be a functor between two categories. If the map Mor
Mor
is injective, then the functor is called faithful. For example, the functor between the category of sets with only bijective mappings qualified to be morphisms between objects, to the category of sets with all kinds of mappings allowed to be morphisms, carrying objects and morphisms to themselves, is faithful.
Full functor: If Mor Mor
is surjective, then the functor is called full. For example, the functor defined above is not full.
Natural transformation of covariant functors: Let be functors between categories
and
. Let
be objects, and let
be morphisms between them. Then
is a natural transformation if the following diagram commutes:
Philosophical point: Why are commutative diagrams so omnipresent and important in Mathematics? It seems to be a fairly arbitrary condition to satisfy! Commuting diagrams essentially signify that “similar things” are happening at “different places”, and the “similar things” can easily be inter-converted. Too hand-wavy? Please bear with me.
Say are all
, and
is idenity. Also assume that
maps
. Then if
also maps
, then
is a natural transformation. However, if
is of any other description, then
is not a natural transformation.
Forming other examples should convince you of the fact above.