6.3.1 Self-Duality

The ($2$-)category of relations is self-dual:

  1. Self-Duality I. We have an isomorphism
    \[ \mathrm{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\mathrel {\smash {\overset {\scriptscriptstyle \text{eq.}}\cong }}\mathrm{Rel} \]

    of categories.

  2. Self-Duality II. We have a $2$-isomorphism
    \[ \textbf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\mathrel {\smash {\overset {\scriptscriptstyle \text{eq.}}\cong }}\textbf{Rel} \]

    of $2$-categories.

Item 1: Self-Duality I
We claim that the functor
\[ F\colon \mathsf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\to \mathsf{Rel} \]

given by the identity on objects and by $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ on morphisms is an isomorphism of categories.

By Chapter 9: Categories, Item 1 of Proposition 9.6.8.1.3, it suffices to show that $F$ is bijective on objects (which is clear) and fully faithful. Indeed, the map

\[ \webleft (-\webright )^{\dagger }\colon \mathrm{Rel}\webleft (A,B\webright )\to \mathrm{Rel}\webleft (B,A\webright ) \]

defined by the assignment $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ is a bijection by Chapter 7: Constructions With Relations, Item 5 of Proposition 7.3.11.1.3, showing $F$ to be fully faithful.

Item 2: Self-Duality II
We claim that the $2$-functor
\[ F\colon \mathsf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\to \mathsf{Rel} \]

given by the identity on objects, by $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ on morphisms, and by preserving inclusions on $2$-morphisms via Chapter 7: Constructions With Relations, Item 1 of Proposition 7.3.11.1.3, is an isomorphism of categories.

By of , it suffices to show that $F$ is:

Thus $F$ is indeed a $2$-isomorphism of categories.


Noticed something off, or have any comments? Feel free to reach out!


You can also use the contact form below: