TOPICS
Search

Metatheory


The study of the inner structure of a mathematical theory considered as a whole. It deals with the general properties of the rules according to which the objects of a certain theory are combined and linked, and the principles of reasoning on which its argumentation is based. When describing the language of the theory, the metatheory must resort to a different language located on a higher level, since the terms and symbols of the theory are looked at from above, as objects to be described and related. For this reason, this new language is often called a metalanguage.


See also

Metamathematics, Metatheorem

This entry contributed by Margherita Barile

Explore with Wolfram|Alpha

References

Kleene, S. C. Introduction to Metamathematics. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, 1964.

Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha

Metatheory

Cite this as:

Barile, Margherita. "Metatheory." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource, created by Eric W. Weisstein. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Metatheory.html

Subject classifications