Legal Definitions - legalism

Definition: Legalism is a way of thinking that places a lot of importance on following rules and laws, sometimes to the point where it becomes meaningless. It can also refer to the use of legal jargon or phrases by lawyers.

Example 1: A person who believes that moral conduct is solely based on following rules and duties is exhibiting legalism. For example, someone who thinks that it's only wrong to steal because it's against the law, rather than because it's morally wrong, is being legalistic.

Example 2: Legalism can also refer to the use of legal jargon or phrases by lawyers. For example, using phrases like "pursuant to" or "hereinbefore" can make legal documents difficult for non-lawyers to understand.

Both examples illustrate the definition of legalism by showing how it can lead to a focus on rules and technicalities rather than the underlying moral or practical considerations. In the first example, legalism can lead to a lack of empathy or understanding of the reasons behind laws and rules. In the second example, legalism can make legal documents inaccessible to people who are not familiar with legal jargon.