Using clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions; resolving moral problems through the application of general rules to particular cases in a way that seems evasive. Casuistic reasoning often involves finding loopholes in ethical principles.
From Latin 'casus' meaning 'case' or 'instance.' Casuistry was originally a legitimate method in moral theology for applying general principles to specific cases, but it became associated with overly subtle reasoning that evades the spirit of moral law.
Think 'case-by-case' reasoning gone wrong - casuistic people find a special 'case' or exception for every rule they want to break. It's like a student who argues 'technically, the assignment was due at midnight, and 12:01 AM is the next day, so I'm not really late.'
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