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

---

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

The passage from Blewitt is not, of itself, manifestly rigoristic, while the position attributed to Mandeville is rigorism at its most extreme.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob

Very many imagine progress to be a struggle in behalf of Germany against the enfeebling system of innumerable small states, or a battling against religious rigorism and priest-rule in secular concerns.

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

If this is accepted, then of the men cited by Kaye to show the orthodoxy and the contemporaneity of rigorism only William Law has any relevance.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob