The nine model category structures on the category of sets
Category Theory
2025-08-22 v1 Algebraic Topology
Combinatorics
Abstract
We give a proof of the folklore theorem, attributed to Goodwillie, that there are precisely nine model structures on the category of sets. This result is deduced from a complete study of lifting problems and the ensuing classification of all weak factorization systems on . Moreover, we determine the Quillen equivalences between these model structures and exhibit an explicit example of equivalent model structures that cannot be realized by a single Quillen adjunction.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2508.15731,
title = {The nine model category structures on the category of sets},
author = {Omar Antolín-Camarena and Tobias Barthel},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.15731},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
10 pages; all comments welcome