metatheory

[met-uh-thee-uh-ree, -theer-ee] /ˈmɛt əˌθi ə ri, -ˌθɪər i/
noun
1.
a theory devised to analyze a theory.
2.
the investigation and analysis of theories.
British Dictionary definitions for metatheory

metatheory

/ˈmɛtəˌθɪərɪ/
noun
1.
philosophical discussion of the foundations, structure, or results of some theory, such as metamathematics
2.
a formal system that describes the structure of some other system See also metalanguage
Derived Forms
metatheoretical (ˌmɛtəθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl) adjective
Encyclopedia Article for metatheory

a theory the subject matter of which is another theory. A finding proved in the former that deals with the latter is known as a metatheorem.

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