rigorism

[ rig-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. extreme strictness.
2. (in Roman Catholic moral philosophy) the theory that in doubtful cases of conscience no course may be followed that is contrary to Catholic law and doctrine.

rigorism

/ ˈrɪɡəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. strictness in judgment or conduct
2. the religious cult of extreme self-denial
3. RC theol the doctrine that in cases of doubt in moral matters the stricter course must always be followed

Derived Forms

• ˌrigorˈistic, adjective
• ˈrigorist, noun

Other Words From

• rigor·ist noun
• rigor·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigorism¹

From the French word rigorisme, dating back to 1695–1705. See rigor, -ism

Example Sentences

The quarrel over “crossed arms” during prayers, which, for a time, tore Côte d’Ivoire’s Muslim community apart, illustrates this kind of rigorism.

From Salon

As the Catholic site Crux puts it, the document is “a long polemic against rigorism.”

From Slate

Tutiorism, tū′ti-or-izm, n. in R. C. moral theology, the doctrine that in a case of doubt between right and wrong one should take the safer course, i.e. the one in verbal accordance with the law—the same as Rigorism, and the opposite of Probabilism.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

But the truly mystical must be a protest alike against a narrow juiceless intellectualism, against a narrow moralistic rigorism, and against a blind and spineless sentimentalism.

From Project Gutenberg

Narrow-mindedness, which is the necessary consequence of rigorism, tended to nurture an implacable party spirit among the samurai of the territory educated in this principle.

From Project Gutenberg