Ethics, ethos, and spirit in Max Weber's philosophy: a conceptual clarification

Abstract

The study is devoted to analyzing the nuanced use of the terms “ethics,” “ethos,” and “spirit” in the works of Max Weber in order to clarify their conceptual distinctions and interrelations. Using historical-philosophical analysis, hermeneutic interpretation, content analysis, and conceptual analysis, the research demonstrates that these terms are not synonymous but represent distinct yet interconnected categories: ethics is the foundation of a system of beliefs, ethos is the embodiment of ethics in action, and spirit is a complex concept that encompasses multiple manifestations of the cultural and historical context of a particular community.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in conducting a comprehensive and differentiated analysis of the terms “ethics,” “ethos,” and “spirit” in the works of Max Weber, which makes it possible to move beyond their frequent synonymization. Drawing on Weber’s primary sources, dictionaries of his concepts, and the works of leading scholars, the study demonstrates that these terms have clear conceptual distinctions and a hierarchical interdependence, allowing for a deeper understanding of the motivational mechanisms of social behavior and, in particular, the specificity of the “spirit of capitalism.”

The results contribute to a deeper understanding of Weberian sociology and propose a methodological framework for analyzing contemporary social phenomena in the context of modern Ukraine. Proposed application of the study for analyzing contemporary social processes in Ukraine to clarify the understanding of the Ukrainian ethos and spirit  and their role during war and reconstruction.