"Modus Vivendi". I understand that this phrase means "a way of
living". I need to know if there are any common contexts in which it
is used, and whether it has a negative connotation. I am hoping to use
it for a business name. This should be a simple question for anyone
with a background in Latin.

Hello.

As you mention, the literal meaning of "modus vivendi" is "way of
living" or "manner of living."

The term is most often used to describe a lifestyle that is in some
way unusual,  extreme or eccentric.

"Modus vivendi" is not negative per se, but it is sometimes used in
negative contexts.

Some examples:

"Their modus vivendi epitomises the intensive, all-out quest for money
and their dubious ethical standards seem perpetually overshadowed by
the urgency of a quick financial gain."
source:
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/01/14/state_and_main.html


"...his modus vivendi here is the tyranny of the weak"
source: southjerseynews.com
http://www.southjerseynews.com/neulander/m011703dd.htm

"On the other hand, his modus vivendi, that determined his
astoundingly productive successes, are his arrogance and conceptual
pugilism."
source: Booksunderreview.com
http://www.booksunderreview.com/Business/Construction_and_Maintenance/Design/Landscape_Architects/


Sometimes, it's used matter-of-factly, as in this example from the BBC
about Queen Elizabeth II:

"Her modus vivendi has been to reign as if she were her father."
source: BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/monarchy/2014766.stm

More examples:

" Indeed, such a schedule has been her modus vivendi since her
orchestral debut at age 15 in Paris."
source: Oberlin.edu
http://www.oberlin.edu/con/lstnrm/whispers/duphil_monique.html

"Their modus vivendi was the same, the quest for union with God
through renunciation of self."
source: pbcc.org
http://www.pbcc.org/staff/bell/BenedictGregory.html

"Soft-spoken, articulate, educated he is; your stereotyped street bum
or maybe sob-story yuppie who overextended, was made redundant and
thus fell, he isn't. His modus vivendi is his by choice, and, though
this may be the Romantic view, in this conscious choice lies Michael's
freedom and, in a sense, his dignity."
source: Mainchange.org
http://www.mainchance.org/upward/read/january2002/levit.html

"His modus vivendi was intense and gratifying, if hardly healthy. He
was widely read and highly knowledgeable across the arts. He kept odd
hours; reversed sleep rhythms; ate lavishly; eschewed exercise, and --
a doctor's son -- avoided physicians whenever possible."
source: doctorgreenberg.net
http://doctorgreenberg.net/eyeswide.htm

"It is as if they live with emotional antennae perpetually extended;
the idea of suffering is so abhorrent to them that they are unable to
rest until they have done all they can to alleviate any pain, whether
it comes from clients or patients, lovers, friends or family, or even
strangers. Caring is their primary motivation, their modus vivendi."
source: positivehealth.com
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Healing/angwin.htm


As these examples indicate, "modus vivendi" can be used in a positive,
neutral or negative way.  It can be used in an admiring way to
describe a lifestyle that is "better" than normal (more enjoyable,
exciting, spiritual, etc.). It can be used negatively to describe a
way of life that is worse than normal (more self-indulgent, cruel,
etc).   "Modus vivendi" is rarely used, though, to describe a
lifestyle that is completely normal or typical.  Rather, "modus
vivendi" most often is used to describe the way in which someone's
lifestyle differs from the norm.

---------

search strategy:
"his modus vivendi"
"her modus vivendi"
"their modus vivendi"

I hope this helps.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jayce-ga on 04 May 2004 15:25 PDT

You're welcome. My only concern about "negative connotation" came from
a definition I found stating : a way of getting along together that
doesn't require either of two disputing parties to compromise. i.e. a
couple in the process of divorcing who creates a modus vivendi until
the matter is settled. I didn't want that association for my business.
Have you heard of that? I was just worried that that was the most
common association with the phrase.

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 04 May 2004 15:55 PDT

Hi.

Yes, in addition to the more general meaning of "way of living," modus
vivendi is sometimes used in the sense of "way of living WITH"
(another person, group, country, etc.).  The idea is that the two
people (or groups, countries, etc.) don't really like each other all
that much, but they find some way to get along despite their
differences.

See the results of this Google search:
"modus vivendi between"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&q=%22modus+vivendi+between%22&btnG=Search

You're right that there is a somewhat negative connotation to this
usage.  The two sides are living with each other, but the situation
isn't exactly nirvana for either one.

I'd say that this usage is quite a bit less common than the general
"lifestyle" meaning, though.

A thorough answer with lots of examples, quotes and an explanation of
the nuances of the phrase. Exactly what I was looking for. Very quick
response too!

Thank you for the tip.
-juggler

I'd say that the possible negative connotation of "modus vivendi" is
much like the connotation attached to the word "lifestyle."
Occasionally both of these terms are used in describing something that
the writer appears to consider disreputable (such as "the hippie
lifestyle" or "the modus vivendi of a drug lord"). But both terms are
also often used in a positive sense ("the recycling lifestyle," "the
modus vivendi of a super-mom").