casuistic

Thân thiện

A philosopher uses casuistic reasoning to resolve a moral dilemma.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the use of ethical principles to resolve moral problems: Pertaining to the method of analyzing and solving specific moral dilemmas by applying general ethical rules or principles to particular cases.
   • Relating to or practicing casuistry: Connected to the study and application of case-based reasoning in ethics, law, or theology.
   • Overly subtle or specious reasoning: Characterized by clever but often misleading or deceptive argumentation, especially concerning moral issues.

Usage

• The term casuistic is primarily used in academic, philosophical, or theological contexts to describe a method of ethical reasoning.
• It can have a neutral, descriptive meaning when referring to the formal practice of case-based ethics.
• It often carries a negative connotation, implying that the reasoning is excessively subtle, intellectually dishonest, or designed to justify a desired conclusion rather than discover the truth.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Medieval theologians developed a highly casuistic framework for addressing complex questions of sin and penance.
  • His defense was purely casuistic, focusing on technicalities rather than the core moral issue.
  • The debate devolved into casuistic arguments about the precise definition of the terms involved.

Advanced Usage

• Casuistic reasoning is a common phrase used to describe the process of applying general principles to specific cases, often with the implication that the reasoning is overly legalistic or deceptive.
  • The lawyer's casuistic reasoning attempted to justify the clearly unethical contract clause.

Variants and Related Words

• Casuistry (n): The method or practice of casuistic reasoning; the resolution of moral problems by the application of theoretical rules to particular instances. Often used pejoratively to mean sophistry or fallacious reasoning.
  • His argument was an example of pure casuistry.
• Casuist (n): A person who is skilled in or given to casuistry.

Synonyms

• Sophistical: Unsound but clever and plausible reasoning.
• Specious: Superficially plausible but actually wrong.
• Oversubtle: Excessively and unnecessarily complex or fine-drawn.
• Jesuitical (often pejorative): Characterized by cunning or equivocation (historically associated with the casuistry of Jesuit theologians).

Antonyms

• Principled: Acting in accordance with a clear and direct moral principle.
• Candid: Frank and straightforward.
• Unambiguous: Clear and not open to multiple interpretations.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or relating to the use of ethical principles to resolve moral problems
2. of or relating to or practicing casuistry
   • overly subtle casuistic reasoning

Từ đồng nghĩa

• casuistical