What does "casuistry" mean?
The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics; case-based reasoning.
Casuistry
/ˈkæzjuːɪstɹi/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics; case-based reasoning.
- Grammar: casuistry is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aesthetics, altruistic ethics, apologetics, apologia.
- Useful contrasts: deductive reasoning, principled reasoning, sound deduction.
- Usage evidence: Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Caſuiſtry
How to use "casuistry"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "casuistry" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "casuistry" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 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
"Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Caſuiſtry"
- 2 moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas wordnet
- 3 A specious argument designed to defend an action or feeling. countable, derogatory, uncountable
"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."
- 4 argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
deductive reasoningprincipled reasoningsound deduction
Example
"Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Caſuiſtry"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "casuistry"?
Common synonyms include: aesthetics, altruistic ethics, apologetics, apologia, apology, apparent soundness.
How do you use "casuistry" in a sentence?
Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Caſuiſtry
How do you pronounce "casuistry"?
Pronounced /ˈkæzjuːɪstɹi/.
Etymology
From casuist + -ry. First use appears c. 1712-1714. See cite below.