Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Casuistry
Cas′u-ist-ry
,Adj.
1.
The science or doctrine of dealing with cases of conscience, of resolving questions of right or wrong in conduct, or determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do by rules and principles drawn from the Scriptures, from the laws of society or the church, or from equity and natural reason; the application of general moral rules to particular cases.
The consideration of these nice and puzzling question in the science of ethics has given rise, in modern times, to a particular department of it, distinguished by the title of
casuistry
. Stewart.
Casuistry
in the science of cases (i.e., oblique deflections from the general rule). De Quincey.
2.
Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.
Webster 1828 Edition
Casuistry
CASUISTRY
,Noun.
Casus foederia. The case stipulated by treaty; that which comes within the terms of compact.
Definition 2024
casuistry
casuistry
English
Noun
casuistry (countable and uncountable, plural casuistries)
- The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics.
- 1968, Sidney Monas (translator), Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment 1866.
- And yet it would seem that the whole analysis he had made, his attempt to find a moral solution to the problem, was complete. His casuistry had been honed to a razor’s edge, and he could no longer think of any objections.
- 1995, Richard Powers, Galatea 2.2
- “And if you lose?” Diana enunciated, through a thin grin. She meant to extract casuistry’s penalty in advance.
- 1968, Sidney Monas (translator), Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment 1866.
- (pejorative) A specious argument designed to defend an action or feeling.
Synonyms
- (process of answering practical questions by cases): casuistics
- (pejorative): excuse, legalism, rationalization, sophistry
Related terms
terms related to casuistry
Translations
process
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