arXiv2026
We establish a generalized version of the duality between groups and the categories of their representations on sets. Given an abstract symmetric monoidal category $K$ called Galois prekosmos, we define pre-Galois objects in $K$ and study the categories of their representations internal to $K$. The motivating example of $K$ is the cartesian monoidal category $\textit{Set}$ of sets, and pre-Galois objects in $\textit{Set}$ are groups. We present an axiomatic definition of pre-Galois $K$-categories, which is a complete abstract characterization of the categories of representations of pre-Galois objects in $K$. The category of covering spaces over a well-connected topological space is a prototype of a pre-Galois $\textit{Set}$-category. We establish a perfect correspondence between pre-Galois objects in $K$ and pre-Galois $K$-categories pointed with pre-fiber functors. We also establish a generalized version of the duality between flat affine group schemes and the categories of their linear representations. Given an abstract symmetric monoidal category $K$ called Grothendieck prekosmos, we define what are pre-Grothendieck objects in $K$ and study the categories of their representations internal to $K$. The motivating example of $K$ is the symmetric monoidal category $\textit{Vec}_k$ of vector spaces over a field $k$, and pre-Grothendieck objects in $\textit{Vec}_k$ are affine group $k$-schemes. We present an axiomatic definition of pre-Grothendieck $K$-categories, which is a complete abstract characterization of the categories of representations of pre-Grothendieck objects in $K$. The indization of a neutral Tannakian category over a field $k$ is a prototype of a pre-Grothendieck $\textit{Vec}_k$-category. We establish a perfect correspondence between pre-Grothendieck objects in $K$ and pre-Grothendieck $K$-categories pointed with pre-fiber functors.