casuistry

Definitions

1. The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics; case-based reasoning.
   countable, uncountable
2. A specious argument designed to defend an action or feeling.
   countable, derogatory, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Caſuiſtry”

“The letters of Margarita were all that the fondest lover could desire, the eye of a poet linger on, but they did not contain⟳ the casuistry which could lead⟳ Glentworth to renounce a faith which he had now been led to examine⟳ in a manner he had certainly never done before.”

“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.”

““And if you lose⟳?” Diana enunciated, through a thin grin. She meant to extract casuistry’s penalty in advance.”

“I felt it was hopeless to argue⟳ against casuistry of this nature, which, if it were carried to its logical conclusion, would absolutely destroy⟳ all morality, as we understand⟳ it.”

CEFR level