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casuistry

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
ca·su·ist·ry  (kzh--str)
n. pl. ca·sui·ist·ries
1. Specious or excessively subtle reasoning intended to rationalize or mislead.
2. The determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing cases that illustrate general ethical rules.
[From casuist.]
casuistry
Noun
reasoning that is misleading or oversubtle [Latin casus case]
casuist n
casuistry
1. the branch of ethics or theology that studies the relation of general ethical principles to particular cases of conduct or conscience.
2. a dishonest or oversubtle application of such principles.
See also: Ethics
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.casuistry - argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
line of reasoning, logical argument, argumentation, argument, line - a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning"
2.casuistry - moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas
moral philosophy, ethics - the philosophical study of moral values and rules
probabilism - a Roman Catholic system of casuistry that when expert opinions differ an actor can follow any solidly probable opinion that he wishes even though some different opinion might be more probable
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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It may be observed however that Plato never intended to answer the question of casuistry, but only to exhibit the ideal of patient virtue which refuses to do the least evil in order to avoid the greatest, and to show his master maintaining in death the opinions which he had professed in his life.
Crito by Plato View in context
--or was it, I have sometimes wondered, an unconscious and after all a sound casuistry that had saved Elizabeth's soul, an instinctive philosophy that taught her, so to say, to lay a Sigurd's sword between her soul and body, and to argue that nothing can defile the body without the consent of the soul.
The Quest of the Golden Girl by le Gallienne, Richard View in context
Containing the great address of the landlady, the great learning of a surgeon, and the solid skill in casuistry of the worthy lieutenant.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
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