casuistry

[ kazh-oo-uh-stree ]
/ ˈkæʒ u ə stri /

noun, plural cas·u·ist·ries.

specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry.
the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct.

Origin of casuistry

First recorded in 1715–25; casuist + -ry

Example sentences from the Web for casuistry

British Dictionary definitions for casuistry

casuistry
/ (ˈkæzjʊɪstrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

philosophy the resolution of particular moral dilemmas, esp those arising from conflicting general moral rules, by careful distinction of the cases to which these rules apply
reasoning that is specious, misleading, or oversubtle