Linear \(L\)-positive sets and their polar subspaces (Q1928762)

Let \(X\) be a real Banach space with continuous dual \(X^*\), and let \(A\) be a monotone relation from \(X\) to \(X^*\) such that the graph of \(A\) is closed. Consider the following equivalences. (E1) \(A^*\) is monotone if and only if \(A\) is maximally monotone of type (NI); (E2) \(A^*\) is monotone if and only if \(A\) is maximally monotone; (E3) \(A^*\) is maximally monotone if and only if \(A\) is maximally monotone, where \(X\) is assumed to be reflexive for (E2) and (E3). These equivalences are related to work by the reviewer et al.\ [J. Funct. Anal. 262, No. 12, 4948--4971 (2012; Zbl 1259.47065)], \textit{H. Brezis} and \textit{F. E. Browder} [in: Nonlinear analysis, Collect. Pap. Honor E. H. Rothe, 31--42 (1978; Zbl 0463.47045)], and \textit{L.-J. Yao} [Springer Optimization and Its Applications 49, 391--402 (2011; Zbl 1263.47005)]. The author gives simple proofs of all three equivalences, using ``symmetric nonexpansive linear maps''. The proofs given here, which do increase the level of abstraction and are also connected to the SSDB spaces investigated in the author's monograph [From Hahn-Banach to monotonicity. 2nd expanded ed. Berlin: Springer (2008; Zbl 1131.47050)], are more elegant, shorter, and require less machinery from convex analysis.