legalism · noun1
Legalism · noun2
From legal + -ism, calque from Chinese 法家 (fǎjiā). Almost always capitalised.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
legalism
Today it means: The focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy, grace and common sense. Full definition →