A functorial semantics for multi-algebras and partial algebras, with applications to syntax

Multi-algebras allow for the modelling of nondeterminism in an algebraic framework by interpreting operators as functions from individual arguments to sets of possible results. We propose a functorial presentation of various categories of multi-algebras and partial algebras, analogous to the classical presentation of algebras over a signature Σ as cartesian functors from the algebraic theory over Σ to Set. We introduce two different notions of theory over a signature, both having a structure weaker than cartesian, and we consider functors from them to Rel or Pfn, the categories of sets and relations or partial functions, respectively. Next we discuss how the functorial presentation provides guidelines when choosing syntactical notions for a class of algebras, and as an application we argue that the natural generalization of usual terms are "conditioned terms" for partial algebras, and "term graphs" for multi-algebras.