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5.3.8 Strict $(\infty ,2)$-Categories

Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category. If $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is locally Kan, then Theorem 2.4.5.1 guarantees that the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ is an $\infty$-category. Our goal in this section is to establish an $(\infty ,2)$-categorical variant of this result:

Theorem 5.3.8.1. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category. Suppose that, for every pair of objects $X$ and $Y$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Then the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category.

We will deduce Theorem 5.3.8.1 from the following thinness criterion for $2$-simplices of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$.

Proposition 5.3.8.2. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category. Suppose that, for every pair of objects $X$ and $Y$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Let $\sigma$ be a $2$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$, which we identify with a (not necessarily commutative) diagram

$\xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ & Y \ar [dr]^{g} & \\ X \ar [ur]^{f} \ar [rr]_{h} & & Z }$

in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ together with an edge $\mu : g \circ f \rightarrow h$ in the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)_{\bullet }$. If $\mu$ is an isomorphism, then $\sigma$ is thin.

Proof. Suppose we are given integers $n \geq 3$, $0 < i < n$, and a morphism of simplicial sets $\tau _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{i} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ for which the restriction $\tau _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ i-1 < i < i+1 \} ) }$ is the $2$-simplex $\sigma$. We wish to show that $\tau _0$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Let $\operatorname{Path}[n]_{\bullet }$ be the simplicial category described in Notation 2.4.3.1, and let us identify $\operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} ]_{\bullet }$ with the simplicial subcategory of $\operatorname{Path}[n]_{\bullet }$ described in Proposition 2.4.5.8. Then $\tau _0$ can be identified with a simplicial functor $F_0: \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} ]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, and we wish to show that $\tau _0$ can be extended to a simplicial functor $F: \operatorname{Path}[n]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

For $0 \leq j \leq n$, let $C_ j$ denote the object of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ given by $F_0(j)$. For $1 \leq j \leq n$, let $u_{j}: C_{j-1} \rightarrow C_ j$ be the morphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ obtained by applying $F_0$ to the unique vertex of $\operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} ] }( j-1, j)$, so that we have a chain of composable morphisms

$C_0 \xrightarrow {u_1} C_1 \xrightarrow {u_2} \cdots \xrightarrow {u_ n} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$

in the simplicial category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Let $\operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$ denote the simplicial cube of dimension $(n-1)$ and let ${\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{i} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$ denote the hollow cube of Notation 2.4.5.5, so that Remark 2.4.5.4 and Proposition 2.4.5.8 supply isomorphisms

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{Path}[n]}(0,n)_{\bullet } \simeq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \quad \quad \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} ] }( 0, n)_{\bullet } \simeq {\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{i}.$

Let $\lambda _0$ denote the composite map

${\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{i} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{i} ] }(0, n)_{\bullet } \xrightarrow {F_0} \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_0, C_ n)_{\bullet }.$

By virtue of Corollary 2.4.5.10, it will suffice to show that $\lambda _0$ can be extended to a morphism of simplicial sets $\lambda : \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet }$.

Let $I$ denote the set $\{ 1, 2, \ldots , i-1, i+1, \cdots , n-1 \}$, so that we can identify $\operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$ with the product $\Delta ^1 \times \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}$. Under this identification, ${\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{i}$ corresponds to the pushout

$(\Delta ^1 \times \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}) \coprod _{ (\{ 0\} \times \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}) } ( \{ 0\} \times \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I} ).$

Let $v \in \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}$ be the initial vertex (corresponding to the empty subset of $I$), and let $e$ be the edge of $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet }$ given by the composite map

$\Delta ^1 \times \{ v\} \hookrightarrow \Delta ^1 \times \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I} \hookrightarrow {\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{i} \xrightarrow {\lambda _0} \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet }.$

Unwinding the definitions, we see that $e$ is the image of $\mu$ under the morphism of simplicial sets

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_{i-1}, C_{i+1})_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet } \quad \quad \rho \mapsto u_ n \circ u_{n-1} \circ \cdots u_{i+2} \circ \rho \circ u_{i-1} \circ \cdots \circ u_1,$

and is therefore an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet }$. Note that every simplex of $\operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}$ which is not contained in the boundary $\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{I}$ has initial vertex $v$. The existence of the desired extension $\lambda$ now follows from Proposition 4.4.5.8. $\square$

Example 5.3.8.3. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category. Suppose that, for every pair of objects $X$ and $Y$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Then the inclusion $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) \hookrightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ of Remark 2.4.3.8 carries every $2$-simplex of the ordinary nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ to a thin $2$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$.

To verify the outer horn-filling conditions which appear in Definition 5.3.1.3, we will need a variant of Proposition 2.4.5.8.

Proposition 5.3.8.4. Let $n \geq 2$ be an integer and let $F: \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{Path}[ \Delta ^ n ]_{\bullet }$ be the simplicial functor induced by the horn inclusion $\Lambda ^{n}_{n} \hookrightarrow \Delta ^ n$. Then:

$(a)$

The functor $F$ is bijective on objects; in particular, we can identify the objects of $\operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{\bullet }$ with elements of the set $[n] = \{ 0 < 1 < \cdots < n \}$.

$(b)$

For $(0,n-1) \neq (i,j) \neq (0,n)$, the functor $F$ induces an isomorphism of simplicial sets

$\operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ] }(i, j)_{\bullet } \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Delta ^ n ] }(i, j)_{\bullet }.$
$(c)$

The functor $F$ induces a monomorphism of simplicial sets

$\operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ] }(0,n-1)_{\bullet } \hookrightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Delta ^ n ] }(0,n-1)_{\bullet },$

whose image can be identified with the boundary

$\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[\Delta ^ n]}(0,n-1)_{\bullet }$

introduced in Notation 2.4.5.5.

$(d)$

The functor $F$ induces a monomorphism of simplicial sets

$\operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ] }(0,n)_{\bullet } \hookrightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Delta ^ n ] }(0,n)_{\bullet },$

whose image can be identified with the hollow cube

${\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[\Delta ^ n]}(0,n)_{\bullet }$

introduced in Notation 2.4.5.5.

Proof. Assertion $(a)$ is immediate from Theorem 2.4.4.10. To prove the remaining assertions, fix an integer $m \geq 0$. Using Lemma 2.4.4.16, we see that $\operatorname{Path}[ \Delta ^ n ]_{m}$ can be identified with the path category $\operatorname{Path}[G]$ of a directed graph $G$ which can be described concretely as follows:

• The vertices of $G$ are the elements of the set $[n] = \{ 0 < 1 < \cdots < n \}$.

• For $0 \leq i < j \leq n$, an edge of $G$ with source $j$ and target $k$ is a chain of subsets

$\{ i, i+1, \ldots , j-1, j\} \supseteq I_0 \supseteq \cdots \supseteq I_ m = \{ i, j \}$

Using Theorem 2.4.4.10, we see that $\operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^ n_ n ]_{m}$ can be identified with the path category of the directed subgraph $G' \subseteq G$ having the same vertices, where an edge $\overrightarrow {I} = (I_0 \supseteq \cdots \supseteq I_ m)$ of $G$ belongs to $G'$ if and only if the subset $I_0 \subseteq [n]$ corresponds to a simplex of $\Delta ^ n$ which belongs to the horn $\Lambda ^{n}_{n}$: that is, if and only if $[n-1] \nsubseteq I_{0}$. We now argue as follows:

• For $(0, n-1) \neq (i,j) \neq (0,n)$, every path from $i$ to $j$ in the graph $G$ is also a path in the graph $G'$. This proves $(b)$.

• Let $\tau$ be a morphism from $0$ to $n-1$ in the category $\operatorname{Path}[ n]_{m}$, which we identify with a chain of subsets

$[n-1] \supseteq I_0 \supseteq I_1 \supseteq \cdots \supseteq I_{m} \supseteq \{ 0, n-1 \} .$

Then $\tau$ belongs to $\operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{m}$ if and only if $I_0 \neq [n-1]$ or $I_ m \neq \{ 0, n-1 \}$: that is, if and only if $\tau$ corresponds to an $m$-simplex of the cube $\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}$. This proves $(c)$.

• Let $\tau$ be a morphism from $0$ to $n$ in the category $\operatorname{Path}[n]_ m$, which we identify with a chain of subsets

$[n] \supseteq I_0 \supseteq I_1 \supseteq \cdots \supseteq I_{m} \supseteq \{ 0, n \} .$

Then $\tau$ belongs to $\operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{m}$ if and only if $I_0 \neq [n]$ or $\{ 0, n \} \neq I_ m \neq \{ 0, n-1, n\}$: that is, if and only if $\tau$ corresponds to an $m$-simplex of the hollow cube ${\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$. This proves $(d)$.

$\square$

Corollary 5.3.8.5. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category, let $n \geq 2$ be an integer, and let $\sigma _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{n} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ be a morphism of simplicial sets, which we identify with a simplicial functor $F: \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ inducing a map of simplicial sets

$\lambda _0: \boldsymbol {\sqcup }^{n-1}_{n-1} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^ n_ n] }( 0, n)_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n) )_{\bullet }.$

Suppose that $F$ carries the edge $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ n-1 < n \} ) \subseteq \Lambda ^{n}_{n}$ to an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Then the restriction map

$\xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \{ \textnormal{Maps \sigma : \Delta ^ n \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) with \sigma _0 = \sigma |_{ \Lambda ^ n_{n}}} \} \ar [d]^-{\theta } \\ \{ \textnormal{Maps \lambda : \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n) )_{\bullet } with \lambda _0 = \lambda |_{ \boldsymbol {\sqcup }^{n-1}_{n-1}}} \} }$

is bijective.

Proof. By virtue of Corollary 2.4.6.13, we can identify $\theta$ with a pullback of the restriction map

$\xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \{ \textnormal{Maps \sigma _1: \operatorname{\partial \Delta }^ n \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) with \sigma _0 = \sigma _1|_{ \Lambda ^ n_{n}}} \} \ar [d]^-{\theta '} \\ \{ \textnormal{Maps \lambda _1: \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n) )_{\bullet } with \lambda _0 = \lambda _1|_{ \boldsymbol {\sqcup }^{n-1}_{n-1}}} \} .}$

It will therefore suffice to show that $\theta '$ is bijective. Let us identify $\Delta ^{n-1}$ with a simplicial subset of $\Delta ^ n$ (via the map which is the identity on vertices), so that the boundary $\operatorname{\partial \Delta }^{n-1}$ is contained in the horn $\Lambda ^{n}_{n}$. Let $\tau _0$ denote the restriction of $\sigma _0$ to $\operatorname{\partial \Delta }^{n-1}$, let $\mu _0$ denote the $\lambda _0$ to the simplicial subset $\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \{ 0\} \subseteq \boldsymbol {\sqcup }^{n-1}_{n-1}$. Note that $\mu _0$ can be written as a composition

$\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \operatorname{\partial \Delta }^{n-1}]}(0,n-1)_{\bullet } \xrightarrow {\nu _0} \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n-1) )_{\bullet } \xrightarrow { e \circ } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n) )_{\bullet },$

where $\nu _0$ is determined by $\tau _0$. Using the identifications

$\operatorname{\partial \Delta }^{n} \simeq \Delta ^{n-1} \coprod _{ \operatorname{\partial \Delta }^{n-1} } \Lambda ^{n}_{n} \quad \quad \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \simeq ( \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \{ 0\} ) \coprod _{ ( \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \{ 0\} ) } \boldsymbol {\sqcup }^{n-1}_{n-1},$

we can identify $\theta '$ with composition

$\xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \{ \textnormal{Maps \tau : \Delta ^{n-1} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) with \tau _0 = \tau |_{ \operatorname{\partial \Delta }^ n}} \} \ar [d] \\ \{ \textnormal{Maps \nu : \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n-1) )_{\bullet } with \nu = \nu _0|_{ \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}}} \} \ar [d]^-{ e \circ } \\ \{ \textnormal{Maps \mu : \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( F(0), F(n) )_{\bullet } with \mu = \mu _0|_{ \operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}}} \} . }$

Here the first map is bijective by virtue of Corollary 2.4.6.13, and the second by virtue of our assumption that $e$ is an isomorphism in the simplicial category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. $\square$

Proof of Theorem 5.3.8.1. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category with the property that, for every pair of objects $X,Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Using Example 5.3.8.3, we immediately deduce that every degenerate $2$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ is thin, and that every morphism $\Lambda ^{2}_{1} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ can be extended to a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$. We will complete the proof that $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ is an $(\infty ,2)$-category by showing that, if $n \geq 3$ and $\sigma _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{n} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ is a morphism of simplicial sets for which the $2$-simplex $\sigma _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < n-1 < n \} )}$ is right-degenerate, then $\sigma _0$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex $\sigma$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ (the dual assertion regarding extension of maps $\Lambda ^{n}_{0} \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ follows by the same argument, applied to the opposite simplicial category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\operatorname{op}}$). Let us identify $\sigma _0$ with a simplicial functor $F: \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, carrying each element $i \in [n]$ to an object $C_ i \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

Let $\operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$ denote the simplicial cube of dimension $(n-1)$ and let ${\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1} \subseteq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1}$ denote the hollow cube of Notation 2.4.5.5, so that Remark 2.4.5.4 and Proposition 5.3.8.4 supply isomorphisms

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{Path}[n]}(0,n)_{\bullet } \simeq \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \quad \quad \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ] }( 0, n) \simeq {\boldsymbol {\sqcap }}^{n-1}_{n-1}.$

Let $\lambda _0$ denote the composite map

${\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1} \simeq \operatorname{Hom}_{ \operatorname{Path}[ \Lambda ^{n}_{n} ] }(0, n)_{\bullet } \xrightarrow {F} \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_0, C_ n)_{\bullet }.$

Note that our degeneracy assumption on $\sigma _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < n-1 < n \} )}$ guarantees that the functor $F$ induces an isomorphism $C_{n-1} \simeq C_{n}$ in the category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. By virtue of Corollary 5.3.8.5, it will suffice to show that $\lambda _0$ can be extended to a morphism of simplicial sets $\lambda : \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-1} \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}C_0, C_ n)_{\bullet }$.

Let us identify ${\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1}$ with the pushout

$(\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \Delta ^1) \coprod _{ (\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \{ 1\} ) } ( \operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2} \times \{ 1\} ).$

Let $v$ be the final vertex of the cube $\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}$ (corresponding to the set $\{ 1, 2, \ldots , n-2 \}$, regarded as a subset of itself). Our assumption that the $2$-simplex $\sigma _0|_{ \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < n-1 < n \} ) }$ is right-degenerate guarantees that the composite map

$\{ v\} \times \Delta ^1 \hookrightarrow {\boldsymbol {\sqcup }}^{n-1}_{n-1} \xrightarrow {\lambda _0} \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_0, C_ n )_{\bullet }.$

is a degenerate edge of the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_0, C_ n)_{\bullet }$; in particular, it is an isomorphism of $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_0, C_ n)_{\bullet }$. Note that every simplex of $\operatorname{\raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}$ which is not contained in the boundary $\operatorname{\partial \raise {0.1ex}{\square }}^{n-2}$ has final vertex $v$. The existence of the desired extension $\lambda$ now follows by applying Proposition 4.4.5.8. $\square$

Proposition 5.3.8.6 (Functoriality). Let $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be a functor of simplicial categories. Assume that:

• For every pair of objects $C,C' \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C,C')_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category.

• For every pair of objects $D,D' \in \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}(D,D')_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category.

Then the induced map $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(F): \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{D}})$ is a functor of $(\infty ,2)$-categories: that is, it carries thin $2$-simplices of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ to thin $2$-simplices of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{D}})$.

Proof. It follows from Theorem 5.3.8.1 that the simplicial sets $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ and $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{D}})$ are $(\infty ,2)$-categories. We will show that the morphism $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(F)$ is a functor by verifying the criterion of Proposition 5.3.7.8. Let $f: X \rightarrow Y$ and $g: Y \rightarrow Z$ be morphisms in the category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ (or, equivalently, in the $(\infty ,2)$-category $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$). Then $f$ and $g$ determine a $2$-simplex of the nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$, which we identify with $2$-simplex $\sigma$ of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ (see Remark 2.4.3.8). By virtue of Example 5.3.8.3, $\sigma$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ and its image $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(F)(\sigma )$ is a thin $2$-simplex of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{D}})$. $\square$

We are now equipped to establish the converse of Proposition 5.3.8.2:

Proposition 5.3.8.7. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category. Suppose that, for every pair of objects $X$ and $Y$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Let $\sigma$ be a $2$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$, which we identify with a (not necessarily commutative) diagram

$\xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ & Y \ar [dr]^{g} & \\ X \ar [ur]^{f} \ar [rr]_{h} & & Z }$

in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ together with an edge $\mu : g \circ f \rightarrow h$ in the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)_{\bullet }$. Then $\sigma$ is thin if and only if $\mu$ is an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)_{\bullet }$.

Proof. It follows from Proposition 5.3.8.2 that if $\mu$ is an isomorphism, then $\sigma$ is thin. Conversely, assume that $\sigma$ is thin; we wish to show that $\mu$ is an isomorphism. Define a strict $2$-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ as follows:

• The objects of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ are the objects of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

• For every pair of objects $A,B \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, we define $\underline{\operatorname{Hom}}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(A,B)$ to be the homotopy category of the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,B)_{\bullet }$.

• For every triple of objects $A,B,C \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, we define the composition law

$\circ : \underline{\operatorname{Hom}}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(B,C) \times \underline{\operatorname{Hom}}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(A,B) \rightarrow \underline{\operatorname{Hom}}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(A,C)$

to be the functor of homotopy categories induced by the composition law

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(B,C)_{\bullet } \times \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,B)_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,C)$

of the simplicial category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ denote the simplicial category obtained by applying the construction of Example 2.4.2.7 to the strict $2$-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$: the simplicial category $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ has the same objects as $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, with simplicial morphism spaces given by

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}(A,B)_{\bullet } = \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(A,B) ) = \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,B)}_{\bullet } ).$

There is an evident functor of simplicial categories $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, which is the identity on objects and which induces the unit map $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,B)_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(A,B)}_{\bullet } )$ on simplicial morphism spaces. Invoking Proposition 5.3.8.6, we see that the induced map $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(F)$ carries $\sigma$ to a thin $2$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}( \operatorname{\mathcal{D}})$, which we can identify with the Duskin nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{D}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{E}})$ of the $2$-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ (Example 2.4.3.11). Using the description of the thin simplices of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{D}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{E}})$ supplied by Theorem 2.3.2.5, we conclude that the homotopy class $[\mu ]$ is an isomorphism in the category $\underline{\operatorname{Hom}}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}( X,Z) = \mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)}_{\bullet }$, so that $\mu$ is an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)_{\bullet }$. $\square$

Corollary 5.3.8.8. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a simplicial category having the property that, for every pair of objects $X,Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }$ is an $\infty$-category. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ denote the simplicial subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ having the same objects, with morphism simplicial sets given by $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'}(X,Y)_{\bullet } = \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Y)_{\bullet }^{\simeq }$. Then the inclusion of simplicial categories $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ induces an isomorphism of $\infty$-categories $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}') \simeq \operatorname{Pith}( \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) )$.

Proof. Let $\sigma$ be an $n$-simplex of the homotopy coherent nerve $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$, which we identify with a simplicial functor $F: \operatorname{Path}[n]_{\bullet } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ carrying each $i \in [n]$ to an object $C_{i} \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. If $T \subseteq [n]$ is a nonempty subset having smallest element $i$ and largest element $k$, let us write $F(T)$ for the corresponding vertex of the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet }$. If $S \subseteq T$ is a subset containing $i$ and $k$, let us write $F(S \subseteq T): F(T) \rightarrow F(S)$ for the corresponding edge of the simplicial set $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet }$. Let us abuse notation by identifying $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}')$ with a simplicial subset of $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$. Unwinding the definitions, we see that $\sigma$ is contained in $\operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}')$ if and only if the following condition is satisfied:

$(1)$

For every inclusion $S \subseteq T$ of nonempty subsets of $[n]$ having the same smallest element $i$ and largest element $k$, the edge $F(S \subseteq T): F(T) \rightarrow F(S)$ is an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet }$.

Using the thinness criterion of Proposition 5.3.8.7, we see that $\sigma$ belongs to the pith $\operatorname{Pith}( \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}))$ if and only if the following a priori weaker condition is satisfied:

$(2)$

For every triple of elements $0 \leq i \leq j \leq k \leq n$, the edge

$F( \{ i,k \} \subseteq \{ i,j,k\} ): F( \{ i, j, k\} ) \rightarrow F( \{ i, k \} )$

is an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet })$.

To complete the proof, it will suffice to show that $(2) \Rightarrow (1)$. Assume that $(2)$ is satisfied, and suppose that we are given nonempty subsets $S \subseteq T$ of $[n]$ having the same smallest element $i$ and largest element $k$. We wish to show that $F(S \subseteq T)$ is an isomorphism in the $\infty$-category $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet }$. Since the collection of isomorphisms contains all identity morphisms and is closed under composition (Remark 1.3.6.3), we may assume without loss of generality that the difference $T \setminus S$ contains exactly one element $j$. Set $S_{-} = \{ s \in S: s < j \}$ and $S_{+} = \{ s \in S: s > j \}$. Let $i'$ be the largest element of $S_{-}$, and let $k'$ denote the smallest element of $S_{+}$. Unwinding the definitions, we see that the edge $F(S \subseteq T)$ is the image of $F( \{ i',k' \} \subseteq \{ i',j,k'\} )$ under the functor

$\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_{i'}, C_{k'})_{\bullet } \xrightarrow { F(S_{+}) \circ \bullet \circ F(S_{-}) } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( C_ i, C_ k)_{\bullet },$

and is therefore an isomorphism by virtue of assumption $(2)$. $\square$