ethos
EE-thoss
/ˈiːθɒs/
The characteristic spirit, culture, or community beliefs of an organization or era.
Ethos is broader than 'values'; it is the 'vibe' or fundamental character that defines a group's identity.
The story behind the word. In ancient Greece, ethos referred to the 'guiding beliefs' that characterized a community. Aristotle used it as one of the three modes of persuasion, referring to the speaker's credibility or character.
Word relationships
- spirit: Spirit is more informal and can be fleeting, whereas ethos is structural and enduring.
- anarchy: Anarchy represents a total lack of a guiding spirit or organized character.
Commonly confused with
- ethics: Ethics refers to moral principles of right and wrong; ethos refers to the general character or 'flavor' of a culture.
Word family
- ethical (adjective): Relating to moral principles (though distinct from ethos).
Collocations
- corporate ethos
- prevailing ethos
- underlying ethos
Example sentences
- "The company's ethos is built on the idea that if you take care of your employees, they will take care of the customers." Describing a company's fundamental nature.
Memory hook
Think of 'Ethos' as the 'Ethics of the Host'—the character of the organization hosting you. Ethos is the 'soul' of the group.
When not to use
Do not use for a single person's temporary mood; use it for the deep-seated character of a collective.
Fun facts
- In music theory, 'ethos' once described the emotional effect that different musical scales had on the listener's character.
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