First Steps towards Categorical Algebraic Artificial Chemistry

Pratt-Johns, Joe; St. Clere Smithe, Toby; Guiver, Chris; Hughes, Kevin; Andras, Peter

Abstract

We construct a functor that gives a dynamics to an algebraic model of interacting components. The construction generalises a computational model of Fontana and Buss in the field of artificial life known as AlChemy, in which molecules and their chemical interactions are emulated by lambda calculus terms and their application and subsequent reduction. We discuss future directions for the application of category theory to algebraic artificial chemistry as an organisational tool, with a focus on formalising the connection between the algebraic and the dynamical facets of such models.

Citation

Pratt-Johns, J., St. Clere Smithe, T., Guiver, C., Hughes, K., & Andras, P. (2025, June). First Steps towards Categorical Algebraic Artificial Chemistry. Presented at 8th International Conference on Applied Category Theory (ACT 2025), Gainesville, Florida

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 8th International Conference on Applied Category Theory (ACT 2025)
• Start Date: Jun 2, 2025
• End Date: Jun 6, 2025
• Acceptance Date: May 16, 2025
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2025
• Journal: Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer Science
• Electronic ISSN: 2075-2180
• Publisher: Open Publishing Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Eighth International Conference on Applied Category Theory
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4204/EPTCS
• Publisher URL: https://www.eptcs.org/
• External URL: https://gataslab.org/act2025/act2025.html