What does the Greek word ethos mean?

The Greek root word ethos is related to “ethics” and refers to moral character. In rhetoric, an appeal to ethos means that a speaker attempts to persuade the audience that she is authoritative and credible. "Ethos."

What are some examples of ethos?

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.

What is the difference between ethos and pathos?

While ethos appeals to an audience's instinctive respect for authority, logos appeals to the audience's sense of reason, and pathos appeals to the audience's emotions. Ethos is used in advertising just as often as it is used in public speaking and literature.

Where is ethos found?

Below are a few ways ethos is found in business, academia, and more. Expert witness reports: In a legal case, attorneys might use an expert witness report that’s written by a physician or other authoritative subject matter expert.