On $\infty$-cosmoi of bicategories

Abstract

An $\infty$-cosmos is a setting in which to develop the formal category theory of $(\infty,1)$-categories. In this paper, we explore a few atypical examples of $\infty$-cosmoi whose objects are 2-categories or bicategories rather than $(\infty,1)$-categories and compare the formal category theory that is so-encoded with classical 2-category and bicategory theory. We hope this work will inform future explorations into formal $(\infty,2)$-category theory.