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From an academic perspective, the discipline of war studies is still underdeveloped. There is a lack of metatheoretical research compared to other social science research, despite the fact that it faces the same ontological and epistemological challenges as other sciences. Furthermore, a lack of understanding different phenomena diminishes precision in language and thus also the ability to stand on the shoulders of giants and contribute to the common body of knowledge.

The aim of this study was to contribute to an increased understanding of the phenomenon of sea power in war studies. Hence, this study, based on Hulterström & Widén's philosophical and metatheoretical theory on combat, sought to answer the following questions: (1) How can different views on the phenomenon of sea power in the field of naval theory be categorized? (2) How can different perspectives of the phenomenon of sea power in the field of naval theory be understood?

Firstly, the results of the study show that different views on the phenomenon of sea power can be categorized using the three perspectives: Brian Crisher & Mark Souva's view of sea power as a physical perspective, Geoffrey Till’s as a social perspective and Jacob Børresen’s as a human-centered perspective. Secondly, the results of this study show that sea power, like combat, changes character and significance depending on the perspective of a theorist.

On the basis of these results, one conclusion is that Hulterström & Widén’s theory is fruitful for the analysis and categorization of phenomena other than combat. Additionally, by conceptualizing different perspectives, the author’s modified analysis tool can be seen as new way to approach the phenomenon of sea power.