ethos

The ethos of a culture or society is its collective spirit or character—the fundamental or underlying beliefs and attitudes that influence its customs and practices.

Things sometimes said to have an ethos include countries (the American ethos of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness), cultures and subcultures (the punk ethos), and eras in time (the counterculture ethos of the ’60s).

The word can also refer collectively to such beliefs and attitudes in a person.

The term ethos is also used as the name of a particular method of persuasion in which a person relies on their credibility or character when making an appeal or an argument. In this context, it is often discussed alongside logos (an appeal to logic) and pathos (an appeal to emotion).

Example: Our company ethos is based on creating a space where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and valued in the workplace.

The first records of the word ethos to mean the collective character of a society or culture come from the mid-1800s. It comes from a Greek word meaning “custom,” “habit,” or “character.” The word ethic, referring to a body of principles and values, is based on the same root.

Something’s ethos is its character or general attitude—what it’s all about. A country’s national ethos involves its core values and is the driving force behind its culture. The ethos behind what’s called the “American Dream” is the notion that any American who works hard can achieve success.

What are some synonyms for ethos?

• character

What are some words that share a root or word element with ethos? 

• ethic
• ethnic
• ethnography
• cacoëthes

What are some words that often get used in discussing ethos?

• culture
• country
• era
• spirit
• Zeitgeist
• essence
• pathos
• logos
• credibility

Ethos is especially used in the context of societies, countries, and cultures.

The American ethos of rugged individualism seems to be in conflict with empathy, especially in times of extreme polarization. Wonder if any political psychologists or sociologists have ever studied this?

— Bill Bua (@billlaurelmd) August 23, 2020

On #NationalVotersDay, I urge all citizens to celebrate the ethos of democracy. Exercise your right & vote to strengthen our great nation.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) January 25, 2017

I'm the daughter of an immigrant so working hard is what I was raised to believe. Therapy the last few months has highlighted how my father living with survival at the core had become my ethos, too—despite me having the privilege to prioritize rest & self-care. #blkcreatives

— Nneka M. Okona 🇳🇬 (@afrosypaella) August 26, 2020

Is ethos used correctly in the following sentence?

This way of doing business goes against my entire ethos.