Homotopy Algebras for Operads

dc.creatorLeinster, Tom
dc.date2000-02-22
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T04:34:00Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T04:34:00Z
dc.descriptionWe present a definition of homotopy algebra for an operad, and explore its consequences. The paper should be accessible to topologists, category theorists, and anyone acquainted with operads. After a review of operads and monoidal categories, the definition of homotopy algebra is given. Specifically, suppose that M is a monoidal category in which it makes sense to talk about algebras for some operad P. Then our definition says what a homotopy P-algebra in M is, provided only that some of the morphisms in M have been marked out as `homotopy equivalences'. The bulk of the paper consists of examples of homotopy algebras. We show that any loop space is a homotopy monoid, and, in fact, that any n-fold loop space is an n-fold homotopy monoid in an appropriate sense. We try to compare weakened algebraic structures such as A_infinity-spaces, A_infinity-algebras and non-strict monoidal categories to our homotopy algebras, with varying degrees of success. We also prove results on `change of base', e.g. that the classifying space of a homotopy monoidal category is a homotopy topological monoid. Finally, we reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of our definition, and on how the definition really ought to be replaced by a more subtle infinity-categorical version.
dc.description100 pages. An introductory paper is available, 8 pages and operad-free: math.QA/9912084
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/math/0002180
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/math/0002180
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/58738
dc.subjectQuantum Algebra
dc.subjectAlgebraic Topology
dc.subjectCategory Theory
dc.titleHomotopy Algebras for Operads
dc.typetext

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