A characterization of \(C^*\)-algebras via positive operators (Q1112297)

If B is a \(C^*\)-algebra an application of the Russo-Dye theorem shows that for all unital Banach algebras A with isometric involution each linear unital positive operator T:A\(\to B\) attains its operator norm at the unit element. We prove that this property in fact characterizes \(C^*\)-algebras in the class of all unital Banach *-algebras.