English

Computability and Complexity of Categorical Structures

Computational Complexity 2018-10-01 v2 Logic in Computer Science Category Theory

Abstract

We examine various categorical structures that can and cannot be constructed. We show that total computable functions can be mimicked by constructible functors. More generally, whatever can be done by a Turing machine can be constructed by categories. Since there are infinitary constructions in category theory, it is shown that category theory is strictly more powerful than Turing machines. In particular, categories can solve the Halting Problem for Turing machines. We also show that categories can solve any problem in the arithmetic hierarchy.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1507.05305,
  title  = {Computability and Complexity of Categorical Structures},
  author = {Noson S. Yanofsky},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1507.05305},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

36 pages. Some proofs were improved and typos were eliminated

R2 v1 2026-06-22T10:14:38.482Z