casuist

Etymology

From French casuiste, from Spanish casuista, from Latin casus (“case”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkæzjʊɪst/
• (yod-coalescence) IPA^(key): /ˈkæʒuːɪst/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

casuist (plural casuists)

1. (ethics) A person who resolves cases of conscience or moral duty.
2. Someone who attempts to specify exact and precise rules for the direction of every circumstance of behavior.
   • 1759, Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments, page 329:

     The second set of moralists, among whom we may count all the casuists of the middle and latter ages of the christian church, ... endeavor to lay down exact and precise rules for the direction of every circumstance of our behaviour.

3. One who is skilled in, or given to, casuistry.
   • South

     The judgment of any casuist or learned divine concerning the state of a man's soul, is not sufficient to give him confidence.