nLab 2-limit

Idea

A 2-limit is the type of limit that is appropriate in a (weak) 2-category. (Since general 2-categories are often called bicategories, 2-limits are often called bilimits.)

There are three notable changes when passing from ordinary 1-limits to 2-limits:

1. In order to satisfy the principle of equivalence, the “cones” in a 2-limit are required to commute only up to 2-isomorphism.

2. The universal property of the limit is expressed by an equivalence of categories rather than a bijection of sets. This means that

   1. every other cone over the diagram that commutes up to isomorphism factors through the limit, up to isomorphism, and

   2. every transformation between cones also factors through a 2-cell in the limit. We will give some examples below.

3. Since 2-categories are enriched over Cat (this is precise in the strict case, and weakly true otherwise), $Cat$-weighted limits become important. This means that both the diagrams we take limits of and the shape of “cones” that limits represent can involve $2$-cells as well as $1$-cells.

Definition

Let $K$ and $D$ be 2-categories, and $J\colon D\to Cat$ and $F\colon D\to K$ be 2-functors. A $J$-weighted (2-)limit of $F$ is an object $L\in K$ equipped with a pseudonatural equivalence

$$K(X,L) \simeq [D,Cat](J,K(X,F-)).$$

where $[D,Cat]$ denotes the 2-category of 2-functors $D\to Cat$, pseudonatural transformations between them, and modifications between those.

A 2-limit in the opposite 2-category $K^{op}$ is called a 2-colimit in $K$. Everything below applies dually to 2-colimits, the higher analogues of colimits. (But somebody might want to make a separate page that gives appropriate examples of these.)

It is also possible to require the weight $J$ to go from $D^{op}$ to $Cat$ and the $2$-functor $F$ to go from $D$ to $K$ when defining $2$-colimits, in this case a $J$-weighted $2$-colimit of $F$ is an object $C$ equipped with a pseudo-natural equivalence:

$$K(C,X) \simeq [D^{op},Cat](J,K(F-,X)).$$

Strictness and terminology

If $K$ and $D$ are strict 2-categories, $J$ and $F$ are strict 2-functors, and if we replace this pseudonatural equivalence by a (strictly 2-natural) isomorphism and the 2-category $[D,Cat]$ by the 2-category $[D,Cat]_{strict}$ of strict 2-functors and strict 2-natural transformations, then we obtain the definition of a strict 2-limit. This is precisely a Cat-weighted limit in the sense of ordinary enriched category theory. See strict 2-limit for details.

On the other hand, if $K$, $D$, $J$, and $F$ are strict as above, and we replace the equivalence by an isomorphism but keep the weak meaning of $[D,Cat]$, then we obtain the notion of a strict pseudolimit. Strict pseudolimits are, in particular, 2-limits, whereas strict 2-limits are not always (although some, such as PIE-limits and flexible limits, are). In a strict 2-category, these types of strict limits are often technically useful in constructing the “up-to-isomorphism” 2-limits we consider here.

When we know we are working in a (weak) 2-category, the only type of limit that makes sense is a (non-strict) 2-limit. Therefore, we usually call these simply “limits.” To emphasize the distinction with the strict 2-limits in a strict 2-category, the “up-to-isomorphism” 2-limits were historically often called bilimits (by analogy with bicategory for “weak 2-category”). However, this terminology is somewhat unfortunate, not only because it doesn’t generalize well to $n$, but because it leads to words like “biproduct,” which also has the completely unrelated meaning of an object that is both a product and a coproduct (which is common in additive categories).

Unfortunately, we probably shouldn’t use “weak limit” to emphasize the “up-to-isomorphism” nature of these limits, because that also has the completely unrelated meaning of an object in a 1-category satisfying the existence, but not the uniqueness property of an ordinary limit.

Examples

2-limits over diagrams of special shape

Any ordinary type of limit can be “2-ified” by boosting its ordinary universal property up to a 2-categorical one. In the following examples we work in a 2-category $K$.

• A terminal object in $K$ is an object 1 such that $K(X,1)$ is equivalent to the terminal category for any object $X$. This means that for any $X$ there is a morphism $X\to 1$ and for any two morphisms $f,g:X\to 1$ there is a unique morphism $f\to g$, and this morphism is an isomorphism.

• A product of two objects $A,B$ in $K$ is an object $A\times B$ together with a natural equivalence of categories $K(X,A\times B) \simeq K(X,A)\times K(X,B)$. This means that we have projections $p:A\times B\to A$ and $q:A\times B\to B$ such that (1) for any $f:X\to A$ and $g:X\to B$, there exists an $h:X\to A\times B$ and isomorphisms $p h\cong f$ and $q h\cong g$, and (2) for any $h,k:X\to A\times B$ and 2-cells $\alpha:p h \to p k$ and $\beta: q h \to q k$, there exists a unique $\gamma:h \to k$ such that $p \gamma = \alpha$ and $q \gamma = \beta$.

• A pullback of a co-span $A \overset{f}{\to} C \overset{g}{\leftarrow} B$ consists of an object $A\times_C B$ and projections $p:A\times_C B\to A$ and $q:A\times_C B\to B$ together with an isomorphism $\phi:f p \cong g q$, such that (1) for any $m:X\to A$ and $n:X\to B$ with an isomorphism $\psi:f m \cong g n$, there exists an $h:X\to A\times_C B$ and isomorphisms $\alpha:p h \cong m$ and $\beta:q h \cong n$ such that $g\beta . \phi h . f \alpha^{-1} = \psi$, and (2) given any two morphisms $h,k:X\to A\times_C B$ and 2-cells $\mu:p h \to p k$ and $\nu:q h \to q k$ such that $f \mu = g \nu$ (modulo the given isomorphism $f p \cong g q$), i.e., $\phi k . f\mu = g\nu . \phi h$, there exists a unique 2-cell $\gamma:h\to k$ such that $p \gamma = \mu$ and $q \gamma = \nu$. This is sometimes called the pseudo-pullback but that term more properly refers to a particular strict 2-limit.

• An equalizer of $f,g:A\to B$ consists of an object $E$ and a morphism $e:E\to A$ together with an isomorphism $f e \cong g e$, which is universal in a sense the reader should now be able to write down. This is sometimes called the pseudo-equalizer but that term more properly refers to a particular strict 2-limit. Note that frequently, such as in the construction of all limits from basic ones, equalizers need to be replaced by descent objects.

There are also various important types of 2-limits that involve 2-cells in the diagram shape or in the weight, and hence are not just “boosted-up” versions of 1-limits.

• The comma object of a cospan $A \overset{f}{\to} C \overset{g}{\leftarrow} B$ is a universal object $(f/g)$ and projections $p:(f/g)\to A$ and $q:(f/g)\to B$ together with a transformation (not an isomorphism) $f p \to g q$. In Cat, comma objects are comma categories. Comma objects are sometimes called lax pullbacks but that term more properly refers to the lax version of a pullback; see “lax limits” below.

• The inserter of a pair of parallel arrows $f,g:A \;\rightrightarrows\; B$ is a universal object $I$ equipped with a map $i:I\to A$ and a 2-cell $f i \to g i$.

• The equifier of a pair of parallel 2-cells $\alpha,\beta: f\to g: A\to B$ is a universal object $E$ equipped with a map $e:E\to A$ such that $\alpha e = \beta e$.

• The inverter of a 2-cell $\alpha:f\to g:A\to B$ is a universal object $V$ with a map $v:V\to A$ such that $\alpha v$ is invertible.

• The power of an object $A$ by a category $C$ is a universal object $A^C$ equipped with a functor $C\to K(A^C,A)$. Of particular importance is the case when $C$ is the walking arrow $\mathbf{2}$.

Finite 2-Limits

A 2-limit is called finite if its diagram shape and its weight are both “finitely presentable” in a suitable sense (defined in terms of computads; see Street’s article Limits indexed by category-valued 2-functors ). Pullbacks, comma objects, inserters, equifiers, and so on are all finite limits, as are powers by any finitely presented category. All finite limits can be constructed from pullbacks, a terminal object, and powers with $\mathbf{2}$.

$(2,1)$-limits

If the ambient 2-category is in fact a (2,1)-category in that all 2-morphisms are invertible then there is a rich set of tools available for handling the 2-limits in this context. We may say $(2,1)$-limits and $(2,1)$-colimits in this case.

These are then a special case of the more general (∞,1)-limits and (∞,1)-colimits in a (∞,1)-category. A (2,1)-category is a special case of an (∞,1)-category.

Traditionally, (∞,1)-limits are best known in terms of the presentation of $(\infty,1)$-categories by categories with weak equivalences in general and model categories in particular. (2,1)-limits can often also be viewed in this way. The corresponding presentation of the $(\infty,1)$-limits / $(2,1)$-limits is called homotopy limits and homotopy colimits.

For instance 2-limits in the (2,1)-category Grpd of groupoids, functors and (necessarily) natural isomorphisms. Are equivalently computed as homotopy limits in the model structure on simplicial sets $sSet_{Quillen}$ of diagrams of 1-truncated Kan complexes. (The equivalence of homotopy limits with $(\infty,1)$-limits is discussed at (∞,1)-limit).

Or for instance, more generally, the 2-limits in any (2,1)-sheaf(=stack) (2,1)-topos may be computed as homotopy limits in a model structure on simplicial presheaves over the given (2,1)-site of diagrams of 1-truncated simplicial presheaves. This includes as examples big (2,1)-toposes such as those over the large sites Top or SmoothMfd where computations with topological groupoids/topological stacks, Lie groupoids/differentiable stacks etc. take place.

Lax limits

A lax limit can be defined like a 2-limit, except that the triangles in the definition of a cone are required only to commute up to a specified transformation, not necessarily an isomorphism. In other words, in place of the 2-category $[D,Cat]$ we use the 2-category $[D,Cat]_l$ whose morphisms are lax natural transformations; thus the lax limit $L$ of a diagram $F$ weighted by $J$ is equipped with a universal lax natural transformation $J\to K(L,F-)$.

This may look like a different concept, but in fact, for any weight $J$ there is another weight $Q_l(J)$ such that lax $J$-weighted limits are the same as $Q_l(J)$-weighted 2-limits. Here $Q_l$ is the lax morphism classifier for 2-functors. Therefore, lax limits are really a special case of 2-limits. Similarly, oplax limits, in which we use oplax natural transformations, are also a special case of 2-limits.

There is a further simplification of lax limits in the case of “conical” lax limits where the weight $J=\Delta 1$ is constant at the terminal category. In this case, it is easy to check that a lax natural transformation $\Delta 1 \to K(X,F-)$ is the same as a lax natural transformation $\Delta X \to F$. Thus, a conical lax limit of $F$ is a representing object for such lax transformations.

Here are some examples.

• Lax terminal objects and lax products are the same as ordinary ones, since there are no commutativity conditions on the cones.

• The lax limit of an arrow $f:A\to B$ is a universal object $L$ equipped with projections $p:L\to A$ and $q:L\to B$ and a 2-cell $f p \to q$. Note that this is equivalent to a comma object $(f/1_B)$.

• The lax pullback of a cospan $A \overset{f}{\to} C \overset{g}{\leftarrow} B$ is a universal object $P$ equipped with projections $p:P\to A$, $q:P\to B$, $r:P\to C$, and 2-cells $f p \to r$ and $g q \to r$.

Note that lax pullbacks are not the same as comma objects. In general comma objects are much more useful, but there are 2-categories that admit all lax limits but do not admit comma objects, so using “lax pullback” to mean “comma object” can be misleading.

A lax colimit in $K$ is, of course, a lax limit in $K^{op}$. Thus, it is a representing object for lax natural transformations $J \to K(F-,L)$. There is a subtlety here, however, because in the case $J=\Delta 1$, a lax natural transformation $\Delta 1 \to K(F-,L)$ is the same as an oplax natural transformation $F \to \Delta L$. Thus, it is easy to mistakenly say “lax colimit” when one really means “oplax colimit” and vice versa.

Remark

With this in mind, one might be tempted to switch the meanings of “lax colimit” and “oplax colimit”, but there is a good reason not to. Recall that a lax $J$-weighted limit is the same as an ordinary $Q_l(J)$-weighted limit. Standard terminology in enriched category theory is that a $W$-weighted colimit in an enriched category $K$ is the same as a $W$-weighted limit in $K^{op}$, and indeed in that generality there is no other option. Thus, a lax $J$-weighted colimit in $K$ should be an ordinary $Q_l(J)$-weighted colimit in $K$, hence a $Q_l(J)$-weighted limit in $K^{op}$, and thus a lax $J$-weighted limit in $K^{op}$.

Here are some examples of lax and oplax colimits:

• A Kleisli object is a lax colimit of a monad, regarded as a diagram in a 2-category.

• The collage of a profunctor is its lax colimit, regarded as a diagram in the 2-category Prof.

• When $C$ is a category, the Grothendieck construction of a functor $C\to Cat$ is the same as its oplax colimit; see here.

2-Colimits in $Cat$

As shown here, if $C$ is an ordinary category and $F \colon C \to Cat$ is a pseudofunctor, then the oplax colimit of $F$ is given by the Grothendieck construction $\int F$ — and its pseudo-colimit is given by formally inverting the opcartesian morphisms in $\int F$. This yields a construction of certain pseudo 2-colimits in $Cat$.

Moreover, a similar result holds more generally when $C$ is a bicategory. In this case, $\int F$ is also a bicategory: a 2-cell from $(m \colon c \to d, f \colon m_*x \to y)$ to $(n \colon c \to d, g \colon n_*x \to y)$ is given by a 2-cell $\mu \colon m \Rightarrow n$ in $C$ such that $\mu_* x$ is a morphism $f \to g$ over $y$.

Let $\pi_*$ denote the functor that sends a bicategory $K$ to the category whose objects are those of $K$ and whose hom-sets are the connected components of the hom-categories of $K$; let also $d_*$ denote the functor that sends a category $X$ to the corresponding locally discrete bicategory. Then there is an equivalence of categories

$$[K, d_* X] \simeq [\pi_* K, X]$$

It is straightforward to check that the first of the above facts extends to the bicategorical case:

$$Lax(F, \Delta X) \simeq [{\textstyle \int} F, d_* X]$$

as does the fact that a lax transformation on the left is pseudo if and only if the corresponding functor on the right inverts the opcartesian morphisms in $\int F$. It is almost trivial that the adjunction $\pi_* \dashv d_*$ holds when restricted to the functor $[-, -]_{S^{-1}}$ that takes two categories or bicategories to the full subcategory of functors that invert the class $S$ of morphisms. Taking $S$ to be the opcartesian morphisms in $\int F$, then, we have

$$Ps(F, \Delta X) \simeq [{\textstyle \int} F, d_* X]_{S^{-1}} \simeq [\pi_* {\textstyle \int} F, X]_{S^{-1}} \simeq [(\pi_* {\textstyle \int} F)[S^{-1}], X]$$

Hence the pseudo colimit of $F$ is got by taking its bicategory of elements, applying the ‘local $\pi_0$’ functor, and then inverting the (images of the) opcartesian morphisms as usual.

Related concepts

• limit

• 2-limit

• strict 2-limit

• marked 2-limit

• double limit

• 2-limits and 2-colimits in 2-categories of 2-algebras

• (∞,1)-limit

  • homotopy limit

  • lax (∞,1)-colimit

• quasi-limit

• coherence for bicategories with finite limits

• representable 2-category

References

• Ross Street, Elementary cosmoi I (§6) in Category Seminar, Lecture Notes in Mathematics 420, Springer (1974) [doi:10.1007/BFb0063103]

• Ross Street, Limits indexed by category-valued 2-functors Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra 8, Issue 2 (1976) pp 149-181. doi:10.1016/0022-4049(76)90013-X

• Max Kelly, Elementary observations on 2-categorical limits, Bulletin of the Australian Mathematical Society (1989), 39: 301-317, doi:10.1017/S0004972700002781

• Ross Street, Fibrations in Bicategories, Cahiers de Topologie et Géométrie Différentielle Catégoriques, Volume 21 (1980) no. 2, pp 111-160. Numdam and correction, Cahiers de Topologie et Géométrie Différentielle Catégoriques, Volume 28 (1987) no. 1, pp 53-56 Numdam

Section 6, page 37 in

• Steve Lack, A 2-categories companion. In: Baez J., May J. (eds) Towards Higher Categories. The IMA Volumes in Mathematics and its Applications, vol 152 2010 Springer, New York, NY. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1524-5_4, arXiv:math.CT/0702535.

• G. J. Bird, Max Kelly, John Power, Ross Street, Flexible limits for 2-categories, Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra 61 Issue 1 (1989) pp 1-27. doi:10.1016/0022-4049(89)90065-0 Chapters 3,4,5 in

• Thomas Fiore, Pseudo Limits, Biadjoints, and Pseudo Algebras: Categorical Foundations of Conformal Field Theory, Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 182 (2006), no. 860 (arXiv:math/0408298) (AMS page, Google Books)

Another example of a 2-limit is the category of monoids:

• Łukasz Sienkiewicz and Marek Zawadowski?, Weights for Monoids and Actions of Monoids arXiv:1306.3215 (2013).