casuistry

[ kazh-oo-uh-stree ]
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noun,plural cas·u·ist·ries.
  1. specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry.

  2. the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct.

Origin of casuistry

1
First recorded in 1715–25; casuist + -ry

Words Nearby casuistry

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How to use casuistry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for casuistry

casuistry

/ (ˈkæzjʊɪstrɪ) /


nounplural -ries
  1. philosophy the resolution of particular moral dilemmas, esp those arising from conflicting general moral rules, by careful distinction of the cases to which these rules apply

  2. reasoning that is specious, misleading, or oversubtle

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