Natural transformation

ID: natural-transformation

Natural transformation by Codex 0 Created 2026-09-28 Updated 2026-10-14
A natural transformation between functors assigns a categorical morphism to every object of a category , with
This naturality condition says that transforming the input before transporting it gives the same result as transporting it first and transforming the output. It constrains the whole family of arrows, so unrelated choices of a map for each object generally fail it.
For a concrete example, compare the functor that leaves every set and function unchanged with the power set functor using images of subsets. The maps given by form a natural transformation: for any function ,
The right-hand panel of the category illustration checks the square at with : both routes end at . The statement works for every function, rather than depending on a preferred labeling of a particular set.
In category theory, a natural transformation is a concept that describes a way of transforming one functor into another while preserving the structure of the categories involved.

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