國際關係理論的第三次大辯論中，廣為人知的是（新）自由主義與 （新）現實主義的辯論，較少為人關注的是實證主義與後實證主義之間的後 設理論爭論，以及因此引發的後設理論研究爭議。後實證主義質疑既有國際 關係理論的本體與知識基礎，更使國際關係學者質疑到底後設理論研究是否 有助於國際關係理論與實務的研究。後實證主義關注的是後設理論層次而非 實質理論層次，後設理論是（國際關係）理論的理論（a theory of theory）或 是有關（國際關係）理論的理論（a theory about theory），或是對（國際關 係）理論進行理論性思考，藉以從各國際關係理論中尋找出好的理論。本文 目的在於探索這場源自實證主義與後實證主義的後設理論辯論涉及到關鍵議 題，以及其對國際關係學科知識發展，藉以理解國際關係後設理論辯論，以 期國內學者能瞭解而逐漸建立與發展國內尚未熟悉的國際關係方法論。

In the third Great Debate in International Relations, the debate between （Neo）Realism and（Neo）Liberalism has been well known; whereas the metatheoretical debate between Positivism and Postpositivism have been ignored. Postpositivism questioned the ontological and epistemological foundations of the established International Relations theory. It has caused the scholars to wonder whether metatheoretical researches exert positive incluences on theories and practices of International Relations. Postpositivism is concerned with the metatheoretical dimension and not the substantial dimension. Metatheory is a theory of theory, a theory about theory, and a theoretically thinking on theory to identify good theories. This paper aims at exploring the metatheoretical debates, along with related critical issues, and the effects on the disciplinary development of International Relations. It is hoped that domestic scholars may begin to understand this unfamiliar scope, and develop the methodology for this necessary course in International Relations.