Concept in Definition ABC

The word casuistry comes from the Latin casus, which means case. It is used in three senses different. In general, it refers to the (1) analysis of situations or particular cases that are part of the same matter. On the other hand, (2) in the field of theology or ethics is the app from general moral principles to different concrete behaviors of human beings. Finally, in the sphere of right (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 in common the general idea of ​​poverty).

In theology and ethics

In these two disciplines the analysis of the conduct human, since both are about the dimension moral of the human being. 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 about a person who helps others by being inspired by the concept of Christian charity, in the case B an individual acts generously based on the love of God and in case C a person does good to promote the peace Between the men.

In theology, casuistry serves as a methodological analysis and the beatitudes or parables are a example of this (each parable is a particular case and with it a concrete example of a principle general).

In the sphere of ethics, understanding The idea of ​​good or moral duty can also be made 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, it does not focus on the theoretical dimension of the matter, but rather presents a series of particular cases that serve to illustrate its 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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