Pretorsion theories in prenormal categories

Abstract

In this paper we extend several classical results on pointed torsion theories -- also known as torsion pairs -- to the setting of non-pointed torsion theories defined via kernels and cokernels relative to a fixed class of trivial objects (often referred to as pretorsion theories). Our results are developed in the recently introduced framework of (non-pointed) prenormal categories and other related contexts. Within these settings, we recover some characterisations of torsion and torsion-free subcategories, as well as the classical correspondences between torsion theories and closure operators. We also suitably extend a correspondence between torsion theories and (stable) factorisation systems on the ambient category, known in the homological case. Some of these results are then further specialised to an appropriate notion of hereditary torsion theory. Finally, we apply the developed theory to construct new examples of pretorsion theories.