casuistry

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkæʒuɪstɹi/, /ˈkæzjuɪstɹi/

Noun

casuistry

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.

Synonyms

• (process of answering practical questions by cases) casuistics
• (pejorative) excuse, legalism, rationalization, sophistry

Related terms

• casuist
• casuistic
• casuistical
• casuistically
• casuistics

Translations

• French: casuistique
• German: Kasuistik
• Italian: casistica
• Portuguese: casuística
• Russian: казуи́стика
• Spanish: casuística

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