The word casuistry comes from the Latin casus, which means case. It is used in three different senses. In general, it refers to the (1) analysis of particular situations or cases that are part of the same matter. On the other hand, (2) in the field of theology or ethics is the application of general moral principles to different concrete behaviors of human beings. Finally, in the sphere of law (3) the term casuistry is used to refer to the analysis of a legal situation through a set of illustrative cases.
Knowing particular cases to understand a general reality
The idea of casuistry is applicable in all those contexts in which an attempt is made to understand a global situation from some concrete cases that are illustrative.
If we study the phenomenon of poverty, a casuistic analysis would be one in which specific situations of poverty are presented (all the cases presented would be different, but they would have the general idea of poverty in common).
In theology and ethics
In these two disciplines the analysis of human behavior is common, since in both the moral dimension of the human being is dealt with. In fact, a general theological or ethical principle can be understood if we look at a series of real or fictitious cases that illustrate this principle. The casuistic moral sense is one that is based on the examination of particular cases.
Suppose we analyze the caring behaviors of three individuals from the perspective of Christian theology. In case A it is a person who helps others by being inspired by the concept of Christian charity, in case B an individual acts generously based on the love of God and in case C a person does good to promote peace among men.
In theology, casuistry serves as a methodological analysis and the beatitudes or parables are an example of this (each parable is a particular case and with it a concrete example of a general principle is provided).
In the sphere of ethics, the understanding of the idea of moral good or duty can also be done by resorting to a series of concrete hypothetical cases.
The analysis of the theory of crime from particular cases
Suppose a lawyer analyzes the concept of crime. To carry out this analysis, he does not focus on the theoretical dimension of the matter, but rather presents a series of particular cases that serve to illustrate his exposition. In this way, the types of crimes could be explained by means of significant examples and all of them make up a casuistry of the crime.
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