ca·su·ist·ry   (kāzh'ōō-ĭ-strē)    n.   pl. ca·su·ist·ries Specious or excessively subtle reasoning intended to rationalize or mislead. The determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing cases that illustrate general ethical rules. [From casuist.]

Casuistry

Cas"u*ist*ry\, a. 1. The science or doctrine of dealing with cases of conscience, of resolving questions of right or wrong in conduct, or determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do by rules and principles drawn from the Scriptures, from the laws of society or the church, or from equity and natural reason; the application of general moral rules to particular cases.

The consideration of these nice and puzzling question in the science of ethics has given rise, in modern times, to a particular department of it, distinguished by the title of casuistry. --Stewart.

Casuistry in the science of cases (i.e., oblique deflections from the general rule). --De Quincey.

2. Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.