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An Introduction to Logic and Scientific Method
One of Ernest Nagels first published books is "An Introduction to Logic and the Scientific Method". Co-written in 1934 with philosopher Morris Raphael Cohen, Nagel explains the development of logical principles over time and how they advanced scientific methods as a whole. This explanations gave other philosophers an idea of the technique used to forge a proper hypothesis. -
Logic Without Metaphysics
In 1957 Ernest Nagel published his book on logic without metaphysics. Metaphysics is defined as "the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.". As it says in the title of the book Nagel argues that logical principles should not be first understood to then understand metaphysics. -
The Structure of Science
One of Ernest Nagels most popular works was his book on "The Structure of Science" published in 1961. In this book Nagel explains the logic behind scientific explanation. After going into detail about the different types of scientific explanations he then argues that all scientific concepts use the same method -
Nagels model of reduction Theory
In simple terms a theory of reduction is described as the scientific practice where a basic theory collects the facts and principles compared to a non-basic theory that collects the same facts and principles. Ernest Nagel explains in this model how the reduction is only valid if it is understood to a certain degree and the same the other way around. -
Book Citations
Cohen, Morris R., and Ernest Nagel. An Introduction to Logic and the Scientific Method. Harcourt, Brace and Co, 1934.
Nagel, Ernest. The Structure of Science. Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1961.
Nagel, Ernest. Logic without Metaphysics. Free Pr, 1957.