casuistry
    n 1: argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and
         intended to be misleading
    2: moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical
       principles to resolve moral dilemmas

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.
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            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.
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            Casuistry in the science of cases (i.e., oblique
            deflections from the general rule).   --De Quincey.
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   2. Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in
      regard to duties, obligations, and morals.
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