Group-like structures and the whitehead product in pro-homotopy and shape

Abstract

The notion of ‘ H-space’ is of considerable importance in the homotopy theory of CW-complexes. This paper studies a similar notion in the framework of pro-homotopy and shape theories. This is achieved by following the general plan set forth by Eckmann and Hilton. Examples of shape H-space are also given; it is observed that every compact connected topological monoid is a shape H-space. The Whitehead product is defined and studied in the pro-homotopy and shape categories; and, it is shown that this Whitehead product vanishes on an H-object in pro-homotopy. These results are the natural extension of some well-known classical results in the homotopy theory of CW-complexes.