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6.2.2 Reflective Subcategories

Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category. Our goal in this section is to characterize those full subcategories $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ for which the inclusion functor $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ admits a left or right adjoint.

Definition 6.2.2.1. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory. We say that a morphism $u: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$ if $Y$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and, for every object $Z \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, the precomposition map $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(Y,Z) \xrightarrow { \circ [u] } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X,Z)$ is an isomorphism in the homotopy category $\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Kan}}$. We say that $u$ exhibits $X$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-coreflection of $Y$ if $X$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and, for every object $W \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, the postcomposition map $\operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(W,X) \xrightarrow { [u] \circ } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(W,Y)$ is an isomorphism in the homotopy category $\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Kan}}$.

We say that a subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is reflective if it is full and, for every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, there exists a morphism $u: X \rightarrow Y$ which exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$. We say that the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is coreflective if it is full and, for every object $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, there exists a morphism $u: X \rightarrow Y$ which exhibits $X$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-coreflection of $Y$.

Remark 6.2.2.2. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, so that we can identify $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'^{\operatorname{op}}$ with a full subcategory of the opposite $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\operatorname{op}}$. Then:

  • A morphism $u: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$ if and only if $u^{\operatorname{op}}: Y^{\operatorname{op}} \rightarrow X^{\operatorname{op}}$ exhibits $Y^{\operatorname{op}}$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'^{\operatorname{op}}$-coreflection of $X^{\operatorname{op}}$.

  • The subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is reflective if and only if the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'^{\operatorname{op}} \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\operatorname{op}}$ is coreflective.

Remark 6.2.2.3. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and suppose we are given a pair of morphisms $u: X \rightarrow Y$ and $w: X \rightarrow Z$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, where $Y$ and $Z$ belong to the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. If $u$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$, then we can realize $w$ as a composition of $u$ with another morphism $v: Y \rightarrow Z$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, which is uniquely determined up to homotopy. Moreover, $v$ is an isomorphism if and only if $w$ exhibits $Z$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$. Stated more informally: a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$, if it exists, is unique up to isomorphism.

Example 6.2.2.4. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $u: X \rightarrow Y$ be a morphism of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. If $X$ belongs to the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, then $u$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$ if and only if it is an isomorphism. Similarly, if $Y$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, then $u$ exhibits $X$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-coreflection of $Y$ if and only if it is an isomorphism.

Example 6.2.2.5. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category which contains a final object, and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\mathrm{fin}}$ denote the full subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ spanned by its final objects (so that $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\mathrm{fin}}$ is a contractible Kan complex: see Corollary 4.6.7.14). Then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\mathrm{fin}}$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

Example 6.2.2.6. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{S}}$ denote the $\infty $-category of spaces (Construction 5.5.1.1) and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{QC}}$ denote the $\infty $-category of (small) $\infty $-categories (Construction 5.5.4.1). Then $\operatorname{\mathcal{S}}$ is a reflective and coreflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{QC}}$. If $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is a small $\infty $-category, then the inclusion map $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\simeq } \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ exhibits the core $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\simeq }$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{S}}$-coreflection of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ (this follows by combining Proposition 4.4.3.17 with Remark 5.5.4.6), and the comparison map $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{Ex}^{\infty }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ exhibits the Kan complex $\operatorname{Ex}^{\infty }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{S}}$-reflection of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ (this follows by combining Proposition 3.3.6.7 with Remark 5.5.4.6).

Example 6.2.2.7. Let $\operatorname{Top}$ denote the category whose objects are topological spaces and whose morphisms are continuous functions Let us regard $\operatorname{Top}$ as a simplicial category (Example 2.4.1.5), and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{T}}= \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }^{\operatorname{hc}}( \operatorname{Top})$ denote its homotopy coherent nerve. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{T}}_{0} \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{T}}$ be the full subcategory spanned by those topological spaces which have the homotopy type of a CW complex. Then:

  • A continuous function between topological spaces $f: X \rightarrow Y$ is a weak homotopy equivalence (in the sense of Definition 3.6.3.1) if and only if it exhibits $X$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{T}}_0$-colocalization of $Y$. This is restatement of Corollary 3.6.5.4.

  • The full subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{T}}_{0} \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{T}}$ is coreflective. That is, for every topological space $Y$, there exists a weak homotopy equivalence $f: X \rightarrow Y$, where $X$ has the homotopy type of a CW complex. For example, we can take $f$ to be the counit map $| \operatorname{Sing}_{\bullet }(Y) | \rightarrow Y$ (see Corollary 3.6.4.2).

Definition 6.2.2.1 can be rephrased as a lifting property:

Proposition 6.2.2.8. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $f: X \rightarrow Y$ be a morphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, where $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. The following conditions are equivalent:

$(1)$

The morphism $f$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$, in the sense of Definition 6.2.2.1.

$(2)$

For every object $Z \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, the restriction map $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{f/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \{ Z\} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{X/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \{ Z\} $ is a homotopy equivalence of Kan complexes.

$(3)$

The restriction map $u: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{f/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{X/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is an equivalence of $\infty $-categories.

$(4)$

The restriction map $u$ is a trivial Kan fibration.

$(5)$

For $n \geq 2$, every morphism of simplicial sets $\sigma _0: \Lambda ^{n}_{0} \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ can be extended to an $n$-simplex of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, provided that $\sigma _0$ carries the initial edge $\Delta ^1 = \operatorname{N}_{\bullet }( \{ 0 < 1 \} )$ to the morphism $f$ and satisfies $\sigma _0(i) \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ for $i \geq 2$.

Proof. The equivalence $(1) \Leftrightarrow (2)$ follows from Proposition 4.6.9.16, the equivalence $(2) \Leftrightarrow (3)$ from Corollary 5.1.7.15 (and Proposition 5.1.7.5). Corollary 4.3.6.11 guarantees that $u$ is a left fibration. In particular, it is an isofibration, so the equivalence $(3) \Leftrightarrow (4)$ is a special case of Proposition 4.5.5.20. The equivalence $(4) \Leftrightarrow (5)$ follows by unwinding definitions. $\square$

Corollary 6.2.2.9. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $q: K \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ be a morphism of simplicial sets. Let $\overline{f}: \overline{X} \rightarrow \overline{Y}$ be a morphism in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q}$, having image $f: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. If $f$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$, then $\overline{f}$ exhibits $\overline{Y}$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'_{/q}$-reflection of $\overline{X}$.

Proof. Set $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}= \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{f/} \times _{ \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}= \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{X/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. Our assumption that $f$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$ guarantees that the restriction map $u: \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ is a trivial Kan fibration (Proposition 6.2.2.8). We wish to show that the analogous restriction map

\[ \overline{u}: ( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q} )_{ \overline{f} / } \times _{ \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q} } \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'_{/q} \rightarrow ( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q} )_{ \overline{X} / } \times _{ \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q} } \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'_{/q} \]

is also trivial Kan fibration. Let us regard $\overline{f}$ as a morphism of simplicial sets $\Delta ^1 \star K \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, which we can identify with a diagram $\overline{q}: K \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. Under this identification, $\overline{u}$ corresponds to the map $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}_{ / \overline{q} } \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}_{ / u \circ \overline{q} }$ induced by $u$, which is a trivial Kan fibration by virtue of Corollary 4.3.7.17. $\square$

Corollary 6.2.2.10. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $q: K \rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ be a diagram. If $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'_{/q}$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q}$.

Proof. Let $\overline{X}$ be an object of the slice $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q}$; we wish to show that there exists a morphism $\overline{f}: \overline{X} \rightarrow \overline{Y}$ which exhibits $\overline{Y}$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'_{/q}$-reflection of $\overline{X}$. Let $X$ denote the image of $\overline{X}$ in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Since $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, we can choose a morphism $f: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ which exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$. By virtue of Corollary 6.2.2.9, it will suffice to show that $f$ can be lifted to a morphism $\overline{f}: \overline{X} \rightarrow \overline{Y}$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{/q}$. Unwinding the definitions, we can rewrite this as a lifting problem

\[ \xymatrix { \emptyset \ar [r] \ar [d] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{f/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \ar [d] \\ K \ar [r] \ar@ {-->}[ur] & \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}_{X/} \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}', } \]

which admits a solution by virtue of the fact that the right vertical map is a trivial Kan fibration (Proposition 6.2.2.8). $\square$

Our next goal is to prove the following:

Proposition 6.2.2.11. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $\iota : \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be the inclusion map. Then $\iota $ admits a left adjoint if and only if $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Similarly, $\iota $ admits a right adjoint if and only if $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a coreflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

The first step toward proving Proposition 6.2.2.11 is to show that if $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is an object which admits a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection $u: X \rightarrow Y$, then the pair $(u,Y)$ can be chosen to depend functorially on $X$.

Definition 6.2.2.12. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a functor. We will say that a natural transformation $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor if, for every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $\eta _{X}: X \rightarrow L(X)$ exhibits $L(X)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, in the sense of Definition 6.2.2.1. We say that a natural transformation $\epsilon : L \rightarrow \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}$ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-coreflection functor if, for every object $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $\epsilon _{Y}: L(Y) \rightarrow Y$ exhibits $L(Y)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-coreflection of $Y$.

Remark 6.2.2.13. In the situation of Definition 6.2.2.12, the assumption that $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor guarantees in particular that for every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the image $L(X)$ belongs to the full subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Consequently, we can also view $L$ as a functor from $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$.

Lemma 6.2.2.14. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory. Then $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is reflective if and only if there exists a functor $L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and a natural transformation $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ which exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor.

Proof. Assume that $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$; we will show that there exists a functor $L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and a natural transformation $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ which exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor (the reverse implication is immediate from the definitions). Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ be the full subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\times \Delta ^1$ spanned by those objects $(X,i)$ having the property that if $i=1$, then $X$ belongs to the full subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. Let $\pi : \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}\rightarrow \Delta ^1$ denote the projection map. Let $\widetilde{u}: (X,0) \rightarrow (Y,1)$ be a morphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$, corresponding to a morphism $u: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ for which the target $Y$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. By virtue of Corollary 5.1.2.3, the morphism $\widetilde{u}$ is $\pi $-cocartesian if and only if $u$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-localization of $X$. Consequently, our assumption that $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ guarantees that $\pi $ is a cocartesian fibration of $\infty $-categories. Applying Proposition 5.2.2.8, we deduce that there exists a functor

\[ L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\simeq \{ 0\} \times _{\Delta ^1} \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}\rightarrow \{ 1\} \times _{\Delta ^1} \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}\simeq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \]

and a morphism $\widetilde{\eta }: \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{Fun}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}, \operatorname{\mathcal{E}})$ which carries each object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ to a $\pi $-cocartesian morphism $(X,0) \rightarrow (L(X),1)$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$. Composing with the projection map $\pi : \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}\rightarrow \Delta ^1$, we obtain a natural transformation $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ in $\operatorname{Fun}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}, \operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$ which exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor. $\square$

Proposition 6.2.2.15. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory, and let $\iota : \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be the inclusion map. Let $L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ be a functor of $\infty $-categories and let $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow \iota \circ L$ be a natural transformation. The following conditions are equivalent:

$(1)$

The natural transformation $\eta $ is the unit of an adjunction: that is, it exhibits $L$ as a left adjoint to the inclusion functor $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

$(2)$

The natural transformation $\eta $ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor: that is, for every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $\eta _{X}: X \rightarrow L(X)$ exhibits $L(X)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$.

$(3)$

For every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $L( \eta _ X ): L(X) \rightarrow L(L(X))$ is an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. Moreover, if $X$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, then $\eta _{X}: X \rightarrow L(X)$ is an isomorphism.

Moreover, if these conditions are satisfied, then any natural transformation $\epsilon : L \circ \iota \rightarrow \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'}$ which is compatible with $\eta $ up to homotopy (in the sense of Definition 6.2.1.1) is an isomorphism in the functor $\infty $-category $\operatorname{Fun}(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}', \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}')$.

Proof. We first show that $(1)$ implies $(2)$. Let $X$ be an object of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, so that $\eta $ determines a morphism $\eta _{X}: X \rightarrow L(X)$. For every object $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, Proposition 6.2.1.17 guarantees that composition with the homotopy class $[\eta _ X]$ induces an isomorphism

\[ \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'}( L(X), Y) = \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( L(X), Y) \xrightarrow { \circ [ \eta _ X ] } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}(X, Y) \]

in the homotopy category $\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{Kan}}$. It follows that $\eta _{X}$ exhibits $L(X)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$. Allowing $X$ to vary, we conclude that $\eta $ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor.

We now show that $(2)$ implies $(3)$. Assume that, for every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $\eta _ X: X \rightarrow L(X)$ exhibits $L(X)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $X$. Note that we have a commutative diagram

\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ X \ar [r]^-{\eta _ X} \ar [d]^{\eta _ X} & L(X) \ar [d]^{ \eta _{L(X) }} \\ L(X) \ar [r]^-{ L( \eta _ X ) } & L(L(X)) } \]

in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, obtained by applying the natural transformation $\eta $ to the morphism $\eta _{X}: X \rightarrow L(X)$. For each object $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, we obtain a commutative diagram of sets

\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \operatorname{Hom}_{\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}}( X, Y) & \operatorname{Hom}_{\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}}( L(X), Y) \ar [l]_{ \circ [\eta _ X] } \\ \operatorname{Hom}_{\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}}(L(X), Y) \ar [u]_{ \circ [ \eta _ X ] } & \operatorname{Hom}_{ \mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} }( L(L(X)), Y). \ar [u]_{ \circ [ \eta _{L(X)} ] } \ar [l]_{ \circ [ L(\eta _ X) ] } } \]

If $Y$ belongs to the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, then the vertical maps and the upper horizontal map in this diagram are bijective. It follows that the lower horizontal map is bijective as well. Allowing $Y$ to vary, we deduce that the homotopy class $[ L(\eta _ X) ]$ is an isomorphism in the homotopy category $\mathrm{h} \mathit{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}'$, so that $L( \eta _ X )$ is an isomorphism in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$. In the special case where $X$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, Example 6.2.2.4 guarantees that $\eta _ X$ is already an isomorphism before applying the functor $L$.

We now show that $(3)$ implies $(1)$. Note that $\eta $ determines natural transformations

\[ \eta ': L \rightarrow L \circ \iota \circ L \quad \quad (X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}) \mapsto ( L(\eta _ X) \in \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'}(L(X), L(L(X)) ) ) \]

\[ \eta '': \iota \rightarrow \iota \circ L \circ \iota \quad \quad (Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}') \mapsto (\eta _ Y \in \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( Y, L(Y) ) ). \]

If condition $(3)$ is satisfied, then Theorem 4.4.4.4 guarantees that $\eta '$ and $\eta ''$ are isomorphisms in the $\infty $-categories $\operatorname{Fun}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}, \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' )$ and $\operatorname{Fun}( \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}', \operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$, respectively. Invoking the criterion of Proposition 6.1.4.6, we conclude that $\eta $ is the unit of an adjunction. $\square$

Proof of Proposition 6.2.2.11. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory. It follows from Proposition 6.2.2.15 that the inclusion functor $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ admits a left adjoint if and only if there exists a functor $L: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ and a natural transformation $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ which exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor. By virtue of Lemma 6.2.2.14, this is equivalent to the requirement that $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. The analogous characterization of coreflective subcategories follows by a similar argument. $\square$

Example 6.2.2.16. Combining Example 6.2.2.6 with Proposition 6.2.2.11, we see that the inclusion functor $\operatorname{\mathcal{S}}\hookrightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{QC}}$ admits both a right adjoint (given on objects by the construction $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\mapsto \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}^{\simeq }$) and a left adjoint (given on objects by the construction $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\mapsto \operatorname{Ex}^{\infty }(\operatorname{\mathcal{C}})$).

Corollary 6.2.2.17. Let $G: \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a functor of $\infty $-categories. The following conditions are equivalent:

$(1)$

The functor $G$ is fully faithful and the essential image of $G$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

$(2)$

The functor $G$ is fully faithful and admits a left adjoint $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$.

$(3)$

There exist a functor $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ and a natural isomorphism $\epsilon : F \circ G \xrightarrow {\sim } \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}$ which is the counit of an adjunction between $F$ and $G$.

$(4)$

The functor $G$ admits a left adjoint $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ for which the composition $(F \circ G): \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ is an equivalence of $\infty $-categories.

Proof. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be the essential image of $G$. If $G$ is fully faithful, then it induces an equivalence $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ (Corollary 4.6.2.22). The equivalence $(1) \Leftrightarrow (2)$ follows by applying Proposition 6.2.2.11 to the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, and the implication $(2) \Rightarrow (3)$ follows by applying Proposition 6.2.2.15 to the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. To show that $(3) \Rightarrow (2)$, we observe that if a natural isomorphism $\epsilon : F \circ G \xrightarrow {\sim } \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}$ is the counit of an adjunction, then $G$ restricts to an equivalence of $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ with a full subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ (Proposition 6.2.1.13), and is therefore fully faithful. The equivalence $(3) \Leftrightarrow (4)$ is a special case of Proposition 6.1.4.7. $\square$

Remark 6.2.2.18. In the situation of Corollary 6.2.2.17, suppose that $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow G \circ F$ is the unit of an adjunction between $F$ and $G$. Then an object $C \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ belongs to the essential image of $G$ if and only if the unit map $\eta _{C}: C \rightarrow (G \circ F)(C)$ is an isomorphism. The “if” direction is obvious. To prove the converse, we may assume without loss of generality that $C = G(D)$, for some object $D \in \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. In this case, the morphism $\eta _{C} = \eta _{G(D)}$ fits into a commutative diagram

\[ \xymatrix { & (G \circ F \circ G)(D) \ar [dr]^{ G( \epsilon _{D} ) } & \\ G(D) \ar [ur]^{ \eta _{G(D)} } \ar [rr]^{\operatorname{id}_{G(D)}} & & G(D), } \]

where $\epsilon : F \circ G \rightarrow \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}$ is compatible with $\epsilon $ up to homotopy. Since $\epsilon $ is an isomorphism, it follows that $\eta _{C} = \eta _{G(D)}$ is also an isomorphism.

Corollary 6.2.2.19. Let $F: \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$ be a functor of $\infty $-categories. Then $F$ is an equivalence if and only if it satisfies the following pair of conditions:

$(1)$

The functor $F$ is conservative. That is, a morphism $u$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is an isomorphism if and only if $F(u)$ is an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$.

$(2)$

The functor $F$ admits a fully faithful right adjoint $G: \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

Proof. Suppose that conditions $(1)$ and $(2)$ are satisfied; we will show that $F$ is an equivalence of $\infty $-categories (the converse is immediate from the definitions). Combining assumption $(2)$ with Corollary 6.2.2.17, we can choose a functor $G: \operatorname{\mathcal{D}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ and a natural isomorphism $\epsilon : F \circ G \xrightarrow {\sim } \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}}$ which is the counit of an adjunction between $F$ and $G$. Let $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow G \circ F$ be a natural transformation which is compatible up to homotopy with $\epsilon $, in the sense of Definition 6.2.1.1. For each object $C \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphism $\eta _{C}$ fits into a commutative diagram

\[ \xymatrix { & (F \circ G \circ F)(C) \ar [dr]^{ \epsilon _{F(C)} } & \\ F(C) \ar [ur]^{ F( \eta _ C ) } \ar [rr]^{\operatorname{id}_{F(C)}} & & F(C) } \]

in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$, where $\epsilon _{ F(C) }$ and $\operatorname{id}_{ F(C) }$ are isomorphisms. It follows that $F( \eta _ C )$ is also an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{D}}$. Applying assumption $(1)$, we deduce that $\eta _{C}$ is an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Allowing the object $C$ to vary (and invoking the criterion of Theorem 4.4.4.4), we deduce that $\eta $ is also a natural isomorphism, so that $F$ and $G$ are homotopy inverse to one another. $\square$

Corollary 6.2.2.20. Let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be an $\infty $-category, let $L$ be a functor from $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ to itself, and let $\eta : \operatorname{id}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \rightarrow L$ be a natural transformation. The following conditions are equivalent:

$(1)$

For every object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the morphisms $L(\eta _ X): L(X) \rightarrow L(L(X))$ and $\eta _{L(X)}: L(X) \rightarrow L(L(X))$ are isomorphisms.

$(2)$

There exists a full subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ for which $\eta $ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor, in the sense of Definition 6.2.2.12.

Proof. The implication $(2) \Rightarrow (1)$ follows from Proposition 6.2.2.15. Conversely, suppose that condition $(1)$ is satisfied, and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be the full subcategory spanned by those objects of the form $L(X)$ for $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Assumption $(1)$ guarantees that $\eta _{Y}$ is an isomorphism for each $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, so that $\eta $ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor by virtue of Proposition 6.2.2.15. $\square$

Exercise 6.2.2.21. Suppose that the conditions of Corollary 6.2.2.20 are satisfied and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a full subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$. Show that $\eta $ exhibits $L$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection functor if and only if the following conditions are satisfied:

  • For each object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, the object $L(X)$ is contained in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$.

  • For each object $Y \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, there exists an isomorphism $Y \rightarrow L(X)$ for some object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

If the subcategory $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ is replete (Example 4.4.1.12), then it is uniquely determined by these conditions.

Reflective subcategories are stable under pullback along cocartesian fibrations:

Proposition 6.2.2.22. Let $U: \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}\rightarrow \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a cocartesian fibration of $\infty $-categories and let $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \subseteq \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ be a reflective subcategory. Then the pullback $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}' = \operatorname{\mathcal{C}}' \times _{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}} \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$. Moreover, a morphism $f: X \rightarrow Y$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$-reflection of $X$ if and only if it satisfies the following pair of conditions:

$(1)$

The morphism $f$ is $U$-cocartesian.

$(2)$

The morphism $U(f): U(X) \rightarrow U(Y)$ exhibits $U(Y)$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $U(X)$ in the $\infty $-category $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$.

Proof. We first show that, if $f: X \rightarrow Y$ is a morphism of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$ satisfying conditions $(1)$ and $(2)$, then $f$ exhibits $Y$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$-reflection of $X$. It follows from condition $(2)$ that $U(Y)$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, so that $Y$ belongs to $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$. It will therefore suffice to show that for each object $Z \in \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$, precomposition with $f$ induces a homotopy equivalence $\theta : \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(Y,Z) \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Z)$. Let us abuse notation by identifying $\theta $ with the restriction map $\{ f\} \times _{ \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Y) } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Y,Z) \rightarrow \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Z)$, so that we have a commutative diagram of Kan complexes

\[ \xymatrix@R =50pt@C=50pt{ \{ f\} \times _{ \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Y) } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Y,Z) \ar [r]^-{ \theta } \ar [d] & \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}}(X,Z) \ar [d] \\ \{ U(f) \} \times _{ \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( U(X), U(Y) ) } \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( U(X), U(Y), U(Z) ) \ar [r]^-{ \overline{\theta } } & \operatorname{Hom}_{\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}}( U(X), U(Z) ). } \]

Assumption $(1)$ guarantees that this diagram is a homotopy pullback square (Proposition 5.1.2.1), and assumption $(2)$ guarantees that $\overline{\theta }$ is a homotopy equivalence of Kan complexes. Applying Corollary 3.4.1.5, we conclude that $\theta $ is also a homotopy equivalence.

We now show that $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$. Fix an object $X \in \operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$. Since $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$ is a reflective subcategory of $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$, there exists a morphism $\overline{f}: U(X) \rightarrow \overline{Y}$ in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}$ which exhibits $\overline{Y}$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$-reflection of $U(X)$. Since $U$ is a cocartesian fibration, we can write $\overline{f} = U(f)$ for some $U$-cocartesian morphism $f: X \rightarrow Y$ of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$. By construction, the morphism $f$ satisfies conditions $(1)$ and $(2)$, and therefore exhibits $Y$ as an $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$-reflection of $X$.

To complete the proof, it will suffice to show that if $h: X \rightarrow Z$ is another morphism which exhibits $Z$ as a $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$-reflection of $X$, then $h$ also satisfies conditions $(1)$ and $(2)$. By virtue of Remark 6.2.2.3, there exists a $2$-simplex

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

of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}$, where $g: Y \rightarrow Z$ is an isomorphism of $\operatorname{\mathcal{E}}'$. In particular, $g$ is $U$-cocartesian (Proposition 5.1.1.8), so that $h$ satisfies $(1)$ by virtue of Corollary 5.1.2.4. Since $U(g)$ is an isomorphism in $\operatorname{\mathcal{C}}'$, condition $(2)$ follows from Remark 6.2.2.3. $\square$