rigorism

American  

[rig-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈrɪg əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. extreme strictness.

2. (in Roman Catholic moral philosophy) the theory that in doubtful cases of conscience no course may be followed that is contrary to Catholic law and doctrine.

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rigorism British  

/ ˈrɪɡəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. strictness in judgment or conduct

2. the religious cult of extreme self-denial

3. RC theol the doctrine that in cases of doubt in moral matters the stricter course must always be followed

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Other Word Forms

• rigorist noun
• rigoristic adjective

Etymology

Origin of rigorism

From the French word rigorisme, dating back to 1695–1705. See rigor, -ism

Example Sentences

The quarrel over “crossed arms” during prayers, which, for a time, tore Côte d’Ivoire’s Muslim community apart, illustrates this kind of rigorism.

From Salon • Sep. 13, 2018

Narrow-mindedness, which is the necessary consequence of rigorism, tended to nurture an implacable party spirit among the samurai of the territory educated in this principle.

From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Hara, Katsuro

They were men full of narrowness and rigorism.

From The Progressionists, and Angela. by Bolanden, Conrad von

On the other hand, there is a trait of rigorism in Kant, a survival of the ancient dualism, which was not altogether consistent with the implications of his own philosophy.

From An Outline of the History of Christian Thought Since Kant by Moore, Edward Caldwell

For other instances of disregard by Kaye of the variations in substance and degree of the rigorism of genuine rigorists, see ibid.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob