Conceptual Mathematics: A First Introduction to Categories - Softcover

Lawvere, F. William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052171916X ISBN 13: 9780521719162

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

'This text, written by two experts in Category Theory and tried out carefully in courses at SUNY Buffalo, provides a simple and effective first course on conceptual mathematics.' American Mathematical Monthly

'... every mathematician should know the basic ideas and techniques explained in this book ...' Monatshefte für Mathematik

'Conceptual Mathematics provides an excellent introductory account to categories for those who are starting from scratch. It treats material which will appear simple and familiar to many philosophers, but in an unfamiliar way.' Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

'Category Theory slices across the artificial boundaries dividing algebra, arithmetic, calculus, geometry, logic, topology. If you have students you wish to introduce to the subject, I suggest this delightfully elementary book . Lawvere is one of the greatest visionaries of mathematics in the last half of the twentieth century. He characteristically digs down beneath the foundations of a concept in order to simplify its understanding. Schanuel has published research in diverse areas of Algebra, Topology, and Number Theory and is known as a great teacher. I have recommended this book to motivated high school students. I certainly suggest it for undergraduates. I even suggest it for the mathematician who needs a refresher on modern concepts.' National Association of Mathematicians Newsletter

'Conceptual Mathematics is the first book to serve both as a skeleton key to mathematics for the general reader or beginning student and as an introduction to categories for computer scientists, logicians, physicists, linguists, etc ... The fundamental ideas are illuminated in an engaging way.' L'Enseignment Mathématique

Book Description

Conceptual Mathematics introduces the concept of category to beginning students and practising mathematical scientists based on a leisurely introduction to the important categories of directed graphs and discrete dynamical systems. The expanded second edition approaches more advanced topics via historical sketches and a concise introduction to adjoint functors.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 052171916X
• ISBN 13: 9780521719162
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 408