Zeitgeist vs. Ethos — What's the Difference?

In eighteenth and nineteenth century German philosophy, a Zeitgeist (German pronunciation: [ˈtsaɪtɡaɪst] (listen)) ("spirit of the age") is an invisible agent or force dominating the characteristics of a given epoch in world history.Now, the term is usually associated with Georg W. F. Hegel, contrasting with Hegel's use of Volksgeist "national spirit" and Weltgeist "world-spirit". Its coinage and popularization precedes Hegel, and is mostly due to Herder and Goethe.

Ethos ( or US: ) is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence emotions, behaviors, and even morals.

The spirit of the time; the taste and outlook characteristic of a period or generation

The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations

The spirit of the age; the taste, outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period.

The disposition, character, or fundamental values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture, or movement

The spirit of the time; the general intellectual and moral state or temper characteristic of any period of time.

The character or fundamental values of a person, people, culture, or movement.

The spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation

(rhetoric) A form of rhetoric in which the writer or speaker invokes their authority, competence or expertise in an attempt to persuade others that their view is correct.

(aesthetics) The traits in a work of art which express the ideal or typic character, as influenced by the ethos (character or fundamental values) of a people, rather than realistic or emotional situations or individual character in a narrow sense; opposed to pathos.

The character, sentiment, or disposition of a community or people, considered as a natural endowment; the spirit which actuates manners and customs; also, the characteristic tone or genius of an institution or social organization.

The traits in a work of art which express the ideal or typic character - character as influenced by the ethos (sense 1) of a people - rather than realistic or emotional situations or individual character in a narrow sense; - opposed to pathos.

(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era;