casuistry

[ kazh-oo-uh-stree ]

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.

casuistry

/ ˈkæzjʊɪstrɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of casuistry¹

First recorded in 1715–25; casuist + -ry

Example Sentences

The earth-is-old-but-man-is-young casuistry of John Piper is not good enough.

From The Daily Beast

The responses were telling in their casuistry, their amorality, their evasiveness.

From The Daily Beast

These questions will not be easily dodged; nor will the faithful be placated by casuistry or platitudes.

From The Daily Beast

This reasoning may seem to many persons mere casuistry, mere sophistical juggling with words.

From Project Gutenberg

Hubert Lepel was wonderfully well versed, in subtle turns of argument—in casuistry of the abstruser kind.

From Project Gutenberg

He fought for Udal against the same lying spirit of legal casuistry which was to destroy himself.

From Project Gutenberg

This, however, may be rejected as mere casuistry, however well it may be intended by zealous friends of the past.

From Project Gutenberg

It became fashionable to go to church, and to praise good sermons and read books of casuistry.

From Project Gutenberg