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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of rigorism

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

Kaye nevertheless insists that Mandeville's rigorism was sincere, and that it is necessary so to accept it to understand him.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob

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

Whilst this unpopular rigorism was in full force the war unexpectedly broke out, and added greatly to the existing discontent.

From Russia by Wallace, Donald Mackenzie, Sir

But as every special study tends to rely upon its own conceptions, pietism, involving as it does a relation to God, is replaced by rigorism and intuitionism.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton

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