Casuistry
WordNet
noun
(1) Moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas
(2) Argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , in turn from . First recorded use in 1725.
Noun
- The process of answering moral or ethical questions via interpretation of rules of ethics or cases that illustrate such rules.
- Rationalization, that is, a bogus argument designed to defend an action or feeling.