metatheory
Analyzing other frameworks
Metatheory is theory about theory—a framework for analyzing, comparing, or evaluating theories within a field rather than the subject matter itself.
Where a theory of physics explains physical phenomena, a metatheory of physics examines what makes physical theories valid, how they relate to each other, or what counts as explanation.
Her metatheoretical work examined assumptions underlying cognitive psychology.
Common in philosophy, mathematics, and social sciences.
Governing framework of thought
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- schemaOrganized representational structure
- architectureBuilding design discipline
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
matrix · structure · template · blueprint · conceptual framework · superstructure · scaffolding
Study of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- dialecticsReasoning through contradiction
structuralism · poststructuralism · deconstruction · pragmatism · existentialism · teleology · empiricism · rationalism
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- proofDemonstration of truth
- corollaryLogical natural consequence
syllogism · validity · consistency · formalism · soundness · completeness · decidability · quantification
Deriving principles from examples
- theorizationConstructing explanatory models
- conceptualizationMental creation of ideas
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
- universalityApplying to all cases
higher-order · second-order · reflexivity · self-reference · recursive · metalanguage
Self-evident starting principle
- postulateAssumed starting point
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- first principlesBasic truths underlying reasoning
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
underpinning · presupposition · bedrock · cornerstone · foundationalism · grounding · starting point · self-evident truth
Science of categorical arrangement
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- typologyClassification by shared traits
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- codificationOrganizing rules into system
ordering · categorization · schematization · organization · integration · synthesis · reductionism · holism
Understood facts and skills
- justificationReason proving rightness
- beliefTrust held as true
- truthAccordance with reality
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
certainty · doubt · objectivity · subjectivity · verification · falsifiability
paradigm
Governing framework of thought
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- schemaOrganized representational structure
- architectureBuilding design discipline
scaffold · matrix · structure · template · blueprint · conceptual framework · superstructure · scaffolding
ontology
Study of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
dialectics · structuralism · poststructuralism · deconstruction · pragmatism · existentialism · teleology · empiricism · rationalism · realism
deduction
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- proofDemonstration of truth
corollary · syllogism · validity · consistency · formalism · soundness · completeness · decidability · quantification · entailment
generalization
Deriving principles from examples
- theorizationConstructing explanatory models
- conceptualizationMental creation of ideas
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
universality · higher-order · second-order · reflexivity · self-reference · recursive · metalanguage
axiom
Self-evident starting principle
- postulateAssumed starting point
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- first principlesBasic truths underlying reasoning
groundwork · underpinning · presupposition · bedrock · cornerstone · foundationalism · grounding · starting point · self-evident truth
taxonomy
Science of categorical arrangement
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- typologyClassification by shared traits
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
codification · ordering · categorization · schematization · organization · integration · synthesis · reductionism · holism
knowledge
Understood facts and skills
- justificationReason proving rightness
- beliefTrust held as true
- truthAccordance with reality
evidence · certainty · doubt · objectivity · subjectivity · verification · falsifiability
metatheoryraw data
Unanalyzed collected information
empirical observation · direct observation · practice · praxis · fieldwork
theory, theorem, theoretical, theorize, theorist, theoretically, theorizing, theorized, theoretic