Paper prepared for the SGIR Sixth Pan-European Conference on International Relations Section 2: Central Concepts in IR: a meta-theoretical conversation Panel 7: Meta-theory of IR Theory Panel Turin, 12-15 September 2007 Critical Theory and Post-positivism: IR and the significance of Philosophy Eduardo S. Neves-Silva, D. Phil. Assistant Professor of Philosophy and International Relations Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais State, Brazil Av. Dom José Gaspar, 500 – Prédio 43 – Sala 401 30535-610 – Belo Horizonte – Minas Gerais, Brazil eduardosoares@pucminas.br DRAFT– Please do not cite without permission – Comments welcome