CultureAugust 30, 2026
metatheory
MET-uh-theer-ee
Definition
The philosophical examination of the assumptions, foundations, methods, and structures that underlie a specific academic discipline or field of study.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'meta' (beyond or encompassing) and 'theoria' (contemplation or theory). It entered modern academic discourse to describe the study of theories themselves, rather than the subjects the theories address.
In the news
In the article, the author discusses the impasse within the 'metatheory' field of International Relations, noting that the discipline has spent decades debating its own foundational conceptual distinctions.
Interview – Hidemi Suganami
Read the full article ↗E-International Relations