Functorial Semantics for Multi-algebras

Multi-algebras allow to model nondeterminism in an algebraic framework by interpreting operators as functions from individual arguments to sets of possible results. We propose a functorial presentation of various categories of multi-algebras and partial algebras, analogous to the classical presentation of algebras over a signature σ as cartesian functors from the algebraic theory of σ, Th(σ), to Set. The functors we introduce are based on variations of the notion of theory, having a structure weaker than cartesian, and their target is Rel, the category of sets and relations. We argue that this functorial presentation provides an original abstract syntax for partial and multi-algebras.

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