Coproducts and ultrafilters (Q579396)

The paper studies connections between ultrafilters (in connection with measurable cardinals) and coproduct preservation properties of functors. Let \(\alpha\) be a cardinal. Define an \(\alpha\)-coproduct (in a category) to be a coproduct indexed by a set of cardinality \(<\alpha\). Main Theorem: Let \(\alpha\) be an uncountable cardinal, and K a category with all \(\alpha\)-coproducts. If \(F: K\to SET\) is a functor preserving all \(\beta^+\)-coproducts for measurable \(\beta <\alpha\) (\(\omega\) is considered to be measurable), then F preserves all \(\alpha\)-coproducts. (In particular, in a world in which no uncountable measurable cardinals exist, the coproduct preservation of F depends only on the preservation of countably indexed coproducts.) \textit{V. Trnková} [Commentat. Math. Univ. Carol. 12, 143-174 and 345-357 (1971; Zbl 0232.18004, Zbl 0232.18005)] originally proved this theorem for \(K=SET\). The present form was proved by the author in his thesis [Kategorielle Beschreibungen von Zusammenhangsbegriffen (Diss. Hagen 1981; Zbl 0478.18003)]; and in the present paper he gives a simple proof, as well as indications as to how the theorem can and cannot be generalized. On the positive side, SET can be replaced by a category L with \(\alpha\)- coproducts, provided L satisfies certain technical conditions. Examples of such L include the categories of groups, rings, and R-modules. (The author also proves separately that L can be TOP, but not UNIF.) On the negative side, \(\beta^+\) cannot be replaced by \(\beta\). For example, no nontrivial F: COMP HAUS\(\to SET\) preserves \(\omega_ 1\)- coproducts, while the forgetful functor preserves \(\omega\)-coproducts. Also, one cannot replace ``coproducts'' with ``colimits of chains''. [Reviewer's remark: the author sometimes uses ``ENS'' to denote the category SET of sets and functions.]