Introduction: Ernest Nagel and the Making of Philosophy of Science a Profession

2021

This chapter provides an overview of the life (Sect. 1.1) and philosophy (Sect. 1.2) of Ernest Nagel, as well as a summary of the chapters in this volume (Sect. 1.3). Regarding Nagel's philosophy, we focus on his role and activities to stabilize analytic philosophy (of science) and make it a profession, his views about the role and nature of history and sociology of science, naturalism, and socially engaged philosophy, and finally his understanding of the relation between science, society, and philosophy.