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Casuistry: meaning, definitions and examples

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casuistry

 

[ ˈkæʒ.jʊ.ɪ.stri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

moral reasoning

Casuistry is the use of moral principles to resolve specific cases of ethical dilemmas. It often involves examining the nuances of a situation rather than applying broad, general rules. Historically, casuistry was used extensively in legal and ethical debates.

Synonyms

case-based reasoning, ethical analysis, moral reasoning.

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer relied on casuistry to argue her client's case.
  • Philosophers have long debated the merits of casuistry in ethical discussions.
  • In religious contexts, casuistry can help clarify complex moral questions.

Translations

Translations of the word "casuistry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 casuística

🇮🇳 तर्कशास्त्र

🇩🇪 Kasuisik

🇮🇩 kasuisme

🇺🇦 казуїстика

🇵🇱 kazuiśtyka

🇯🇵 事例研究

🇫🇷 casuistique

🇪🇸 casuística

🇹🇷 kazuistik

🇰🇷 사례 연구

🇸🇦 الكازويستية

🇨🇿 kazuistika

🇸🇰 kazuistika

🇨🇳 案例研究

🇸🇮 kazuistika

🇮🇸 kasuistika

🇰🇿 казуистика

🇬🇪 კაზუისტიკა

🇦🇿 kazuistika

🇲🇽 casuística

Etymology

The term 'casuistry' comes from the Latin word 'casus', meaning 'case' or 'incident'. The word was adopted into English in the mid-17th century. Initially, it was used to describe a method of moral reasoning by which ethical dilemmas are analyzed through specific cases rather than applying universal laws. In Catholic moral theology, casuistry was crucial for moral decision-making, often examining the details of particular situations to derive ethical conclusions. The practice faced criticism during the Enlightenment for its potential misuse, leading to the perception that it could lead to moral relativism. However, it has also been defended as a practical approach to complex ethical decisions, highlighting the importance of context in moral judgments.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,365, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.