Honourands

Honourands is a neologistic term used in limited scholarly discussions to describe individuals, groups, or institutions that actively cultivate and defend social honor within a community. The concept treats honor as something that can be stewarded through transparent action, accountability, and restorative justice after wrongdoing.

Origin and usage: The word combines "honour" (British spelling) with the suffix "-and" to denote a collective or category. It emerged in contemporary ethics and sociological writing in the 2010s and remains uncommon in mainstream discourse.

Definition and scope: An honourand is seen as a guardian of communal norms who seeks to preserve trust and legitimacy. Core traits include public acknowledgment of errors, disclosure of information necessary for accountability, facilitating restitution or reparations, and engaging in dialogue with affected parties. Immunity from censure is not presumed; rather, the role emphasizes ethical processes over punitive expedience.

Contexts and examples: In organizations, an honourand might be a whistleblower who reveals misconduct to restore integrity; in politics, a reformer who advocates for transparency; in media, an investigative reporter who confirms facts to uphold public trust.

Critique: Critics warn that the term risks sentimentalism or performative virtue signaling and can obscure structural power imbalances. Others note that concepts of honor are culturally contingent and contested.

See also: honor, ethics, accountability, reputation.