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casuistry (KAZH-oo-eh-stree) - n., specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality or ethics; sophistry.
Originally, and in philosophy still used in this technical sense, the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct -- that is, by examining concrete cases to illustrate the general rule, rather than working in the other direction. Coined around 1720 from casuist, one who makes such judgements, borrowed around 1600 from Spanish casuista, from Latin casus, case.
---L.
Originally, and in philosophy still used in this technical sense, the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct -- that is, by examining concrete cases to illustrate the general rule, rather than working in the other direction. Coined around 1720 from casuist, one who makes such judgements, borrowed around 1600 from Spanish casuista, from Latin casus, case.
---L.
