Dictionary
cas•u•ist•ry
Pronunciation: (kazh'OO-u-strē), [key]—
n.,
—pl. -ries.
1. specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, esp. in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry.
2. the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.