English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

From casuist +‎ -ry. First recorded use in 1725.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

IPA (key) : /ˈkæʒuɪstɹi/ , /ˈkæzjuɪstɹi/ Audio (US) Audio (UK)

: , Hyphenation: ca‧su‧ist‧ry

Noun [ edit ]

casuistry (countable and uncountable, plural casuistries)

The process of answering practical questions via interpretation of rules, or of cases that illustrate such rules, especially in ethics; case-based reasoning. 1968 , Sidney Monas (translator), Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment 1866. 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.

, Sidney Monas (translator), Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1866. 1995, Richard Powers, Galatea 2.2 “And if you lose?” Diana enunciated, through a thin grin. She meant to extract casuistry’s penalty in advance. ( derogatory ) A specious argument designed to defend an action or feeling.

Synonyms [ edit ]

( process of answering practical questions by cases ) : casuistics

( pejorative ) : excuse legalism rationalization sophistry

Related terms [ edit ]

terms related to casuistry casuist

casuistic casuistical

casuistically

casuistics

Translations [ edit ]

process Armenian: դիպվածաբանություն (hy) ( dipvacabanutʿyun ) , կազուիստիկա (hy) ( kazuistika )

, Czech: kazuistika

Finnish: kasuistiikka

French: casuistique (fr) f

German: Kasuistik (de) f

Italian: casistica (it) f

Portuguese: casuística f Romanian: cazuistică (ro) f

Russian: казуи́стика (ru) f ( kazuístika )

Serbo-Croatian: kazuistika (sh) f

Spanish: casuística (es) f

Swedish: kasuistik (sv)