String Diagrams for Layered Explanations

DOI10.4204/EPTCS.380.21arXiv2207.03929OpenAlexW4385342853MaRDI QIDQ6150168FDOQ6150168

Fabio Zanasi, Author name not available (Why is that?)

Publication date: 5 March 2024

Published in: Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer Science (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We propose a categorical framework to reason about scientific explanations: descriptions of a phenomenon meant to translate it into simpler terms, or into a context that has been already understood. Our motivating examples come from systems biology, electrical circuit theory, and concurrency. We demonstrate how three explanatory models in these seemingly diverse areas can be all understood uniformly via a graphical calculus of layered props. Layered props allow for a compact visual presentation of the same phenomenon at different levels of precision, as well as the translation between these levels. Notably, our approach allows for partial explanations, that is, for translating just one part of a diagram while keeping the rest of the diagram untouched. Furthermore, our approach paves the way for formal reasoning about counterfactual models in systems biology.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.03929

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Computer science (68-XX)

Cites Work

• A Survey of Graphical Languages for Monoidal Categories
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Functorial Boxes in String Diagrams
• A calculus of communicating systems
• Categorical algebra
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Open Diagrams via Coend Calculus

Cited In (1)

• A categorical approach to synthetic chemistry

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