8.5.1 Self-Duality

    The 2-/category of relations is self-dual:

    1. 1.

      Self-Duality I. We have an isomorphism

      \[ \mathsf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\cong \mathsf{Rel} \]

      of categories.

  • 2.

    Self-Duality II. We have a 2-isomorphism

    \[ \boldsymbol {\mathsf{Rel}}^{\mathsf{op}}\cong \boldsymbol {\mathsf{Rel}} \]

    of 2-categories.

  • Item 1: Self-Duality I
    We claim that the functor

    \[ (-)^{\dagger }\colon \mathsf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\to \mathsf{Rel} \]

    given by the identity on objects and by $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ on morphisms is an isomorphism of categories. Note that this is indeed a functor by Item 3 and Item 6 of Proposition 8.1.5.1.3.

    By Chapter 11: Categories, Item 1 of Proposition 11.6.8.1.3, it suffices to show that $(-)^{\dagger }$ is bijective on objects (which follows by definition) and fully faithful. Indeed, the map

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

    defined by the assignment $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ is a bijection by Item 5 of Proposition 8.1.5.1.3, showing $(-)^{\dagger }$ to be fully faithful.

    Item 2: Self-Duality II
    We claim that the 2-functor

    \[ (-)^{\dagger }\colon \mathsf{Rel}^{\mathsf{op}}\to \mathsf{Rel} \]

    given by the identity on objects, by $R\mapsto R^{\dagger }$ on morphisms, and by preserving inclusions on 2-morphisms via Item 1 of Proposition 8.1.5.1.3, is an isomorphism of categories.

    By Unresolved reference, it suffices to show that $(-)^{\dagger }$ is:

    • Bijective on objects, which follows by definition.

    • Bijective on $1$-morphisms, which was shown in Item 1.

    • Bijective on 2-morphisms, which follows from Item 1 of Proposition 8.1.5.1.3.

    Thus $(-)^{\dagger }$ is indeed a 2-isomorphism of categories.


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