Jesuitism

Jesuitism

Jesuitism is a particular approach to moral questions and problems, promoted by some Jesuits of the XVIIth century (not the Society of Jesus as a religious order). The word seems to have been used for the first time in 1622.

Jesuitism is not a systematically developed Moral Theology school (and the word is not found in any Theological Dictionary), but some Jesuit theologians, in view of promoting personal responsibility and the respect of freedom of conscience, gave undue importance to the 'case by case' approach to personal moral decisions and ultimately developed and accepted a casuistry (the study of "cases of consciences") where at the time of decision, individual inclinations were more important than the moral law itself.

Blaise Pascal, the French Mathematician, religious philosopher and Jansenist sympathiser, vigorously attacked the moral laxism of such Jesuits in his famous "Lettres provinciales" of 1656-57.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Jesuitism — Jes u*it*ism, n. [Cf. F. j[ e]suitisme.] [1913 Webster] 1. The principles and practices of the Jesuits. [1913 Webster] 2. Cunning; deceit; deceptive practices to effect a purpose; subtle argument; an opprobrious use of the word. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Jesuitism — [jezh′o͞o it iz΄əm; jez′yo͞o it iz΄əm, jez′o͞oit iz΄əm] n. 1. the teachings or practice of the Jesuits 2. [j ] craftiness; duplicity; intrigue: hostile and offensive term, as used by anti Jesuits: Also Jesuitry [jezh′o͞o it rē; jez′yo͞o it rē,… …   English World dictionary

  • jesuitism — noun see Jesuit …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Jesuitism — /jezh ooh i tiz euhm, jez ooh , jez yooh /, n. 1. the system, principles, or practices of the Jesuits. 2. (often l.c.) a principle or practice, as casuistry, equivocation, or craft, ascribed to the Jesuits by their opponents. Also, Jesuitry.… …   Universalium

  • JESUITISM —    popularly regarded as an attempt to achieve holy ends by unholy means, but really and radically the apotheosis of falsehood and unreality to the dethronement of faith in the true, the genuine and the real, a deliberate shutting of the eyes to… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • jesuitism — n. practice and customs of the Jesuits; study and religious teachings of the Jesuits; deceit; deceitful practices to accomplish a purpose …   English contemporary dictionary

  • jesuitism — jesu·it·ism …   English syllables

  • Jesuitism — /ˈdʒɛʒjuətɪzəm/ (say jezhyoohuhtizuhm) noun a principle or practice such as casuistry ascribed to the Jesuits by their opponents. Also, Jesuitry …  

  • Jesuitism — noun the theology or the practices of the Jesuits (often considered to be casuistic) • Syn: ↑Jesuitry • Derivationally related forms: ↑Jesuitic • Hypernyms: ↑Christian theology …   Useful english dictionary

  • anti-Jesuitism — n. * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”