RIGORISM (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. rigor, stiffness, firmness)  , a philosophical term applied by Kant specially to those moralists who take up an anti-hedonist or ascetic standpoint . In general the term is opposed to " latitudinarianism " or " indifferentism,"—respectively a morality of compromise and a morality of pure indifference,—and signifies insistence upon the strictest interpretation of a principle, rule or criterion . Thus, in Roman Catholic theology, a rigorist holds that in cases of conscience the proper course is to adhere to the strict wording of the law in question .