casuistry

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   case-based moral reasoning that applies general principles to particular practical dilemmas

   Medical ethics often relies on casuistry when broad duties conflict in a difficult case.

2. 2
   noun

   clever but unsound or excessively subtle reasoning used to justify a questionable conclusion

   The committee rejected his distinction as mere casuistry designed to excuse misconduct.

From casuist plus -ry. Casuist came through French from Latin casus, 'case,' and first named a theologian who resolved questions of conscience by examining particular cases. The later pejorative sense arose when such fine distinctions were suspected of excusing wrongdoing.

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