casuistry

Etymology

From casuist +‎ -ry. First recorded use in 1725.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkæʒuɪstɹi/, /ˈkæzjuɪstɹi/

• Audio (US)

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• Hyphenation: ca‧su‧ist‧ry

Noun

casuistry (countable and uncountable, plural casuistries)

1. The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics; case-based reasoning.
   • 1968, Sidney Monas (translator), Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment 1866.

     And yet it would seem that the whole analysis he had made, his attempt to find a moral solution to the problem, was complete. His casuistry had been honed to a razor’s edge, and he could no longer think of any objections.

   • 1995, Richard Powers, Galatea 2.2

     “And if you lose?” Diana enunciated, through a thin grin. She meant to extract casuistry’s penalty in advance.

2. (pejorative) A specious argument designed to defend an action or feeling.

See also

• casuistry on Wikipedia.Wikipedia