Algebra/Topology Seminar

Speaker: Max Blans
Title: Goodwillie calculus and 2-category theory
Abstract:
Goodwillie calculus is a theory for approximating a functor by a tower of polynomial functors. The associated graded of this tower is given by a symmetric sequence whose constituents are called the derivatives of the functor. The extraction of Goodwillie derivatives is compatible with functor composition and therefore defines a functor of 2-categories. The main theme of this talk is that Goodwillie calculus preserves a lot of structure on the 2-categorical level. To illustrate it, I will explain how this leads to a characterization of the spectral Lie operad. This talk is based on joint work with both Thomas Blom and Gijs Heuts.