ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with some of the recognized forms of social thought, discuss how such thought originates and operates, and try to show its place in the total structure of society. The whole body of mores, though it may include some mutually discrepant elements, tends to have a consistency, which gives a general character to a society. This general character of a society is called its ethos. Ethos is a holistic conception, and the ethos of a society may be compared with the character of an individual. In the case of the mores the ideas are related to definite modes of conduct. There are, however, many cases of ideas which are powerfully operative in society, and which may receive a measure of recognition and approval, without corresponding with any specific form of behaviour, though undoubtedly influencing behaviour. Such are many creeds and dogmas, whether they are religious, political, or scientific.
