author
Durant Drake
1878–1933
A thoughtful American philosopher and teacher, he wrote clear, approachable books on ethics, religion, and the good life. His work aimed to make big philosophical questions feel practical and human.
1 Audiobook
Problems of Conduct: An Introductory Survey of Ethics
by Durant Drake
About the author
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1878, Durant Drake studied at Harvard and went on to build his career as a philosopher and teacher. He later served as a professor of philosophy at Vassar College, where he was remembered for many years of devoted service and for the personal influence he had on students and colleagues.
Drake wrote widely for general readers as well as students. His books include Problems of Conduct, The Problems of Religion, and Invitation to Philosophy, and they reflect his gift for explaining moral and philosophical questions in a direct, accessible way.
He died in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1933, at the age of 55. Though not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he stands out as a writer who tried to bring philosophy into everyday life rather than keep it locked inside the classroom.