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

On the Continent, Jansenists were still expounding a severe rigorism.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob

He refuses to worry over the merits of hedonism versus rigorism, the distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives, or the claim of ethics to be called a science.

From College Teaching Studies in Methods of Teaching in the College by Klapper, Paul

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 contrast between his general argument and that of Nicole or Bayle throws light on the role which Mandeville's professed rigorism played in the execution of his satirical purposes.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob