# On the foundations for large categories

There are some basic discussions on the motivations of large categories and small categories: On the large cardinals foundations of categories, Large cardinal axioms and Grothendieck universes, Small model categories?.

As Mac Lane noted on large categories in categories for working mathematicians:

1. One universe assumption is sufficient for all small sets and all small groups but does not provide category for all sets and all groups.
2. Grothendieck gave a stronger assumption that for each universe a category of all those groups which are members of the universe. However it does not provide any category of all groups.
3. Some proposals defined a category with a set-free terms such as axioms as first order axioms for the category of all sets. This includes elementary topos or logic tools.
4. There are some ideas in the above discussions.
5. For higher category theory, there is a discussion: Are grothendieck universes enough for the foundations of category theory?.

The two devices of the universes do not address the issue completely. Is the issue still open? References will be very appreciated!

• The question is vague. What is "the issue"? The universe axiom is sufficient for most purposes – I have yet to encounter a situation where it is truly and unavoidably necessary to ask for a category of all sets or whatever. Feb 19 '14 at 22:13
• Well, the category of all sets (or else) is sometimes necessary. I do have found such things in well established mathematical theories. Nevertheless, what's the problem of working with proper classes? Feb 19 '14 at 22:27
• @FernandoMuro Working with classes is subtle. For instance, it is not possible to quantify over classes, let alone form collections of classes. In particular, there is no such thing as the category of all functors $\mathbf{Set} \to \mathbf{Set}$ if $\mathbf{Set}$ is genuinely the category of all sets. For the working mathematician, it is better to use the universe axiom than to worry about the finer details of logic. Feb 20 '14 at 9:32
• Dear @Fernando, may I ask you to provide an example illustrating your claim? Feb 21 '14 at 19:25
• @arsmath Yes, I am perfectly aware. I did write a whole article on the subject, after all. In my mind, the purpose of the universe axiom is to allow us to treat sets, classes, collections of classes, collections of collections of classes, etc. all on the same basis. Mar 23 '14 at 16:07

This should be a comment, not an answer but it is too long ! This issue is not open. On the contrary, it is well-known. Unlike what is commonly believed, ZFC alone is not sufficient to develop category theory. With ZFC and three Grothendieck universes $\mathcal{U}_1\in \mathcal{U}_2\in \mathcal{U}_3$, category theory can be built. So ZFC and three strongly inaccessible cardinals. See for example M. Makkai, R. Paré, Accessible Categories : The Foundations of Categorical Model Theory, Contemporary Mathematics 104, in the introduction. For some parts of category theory, the distinction between set and class is sufficient. Bernays-Gödel set theory is used in the book Locally Presentable Accessible Categories by Jiri Adamek and Jiri Rosicky.