Definition
To be 'scotistic' means something is characteristic of, or related to, the philosophy of John Duns Scotus, a hugely influential medieval scholastic philosopher. Scotus was known for his incredibly detailed, subtle, and often complex distinctions in theological and philosophical arguments. So, if someone's argument is 'scotistic,' it means they're diving deep into incredibly fine points, making very nuanced differentiations, and sometimes, frankly, over-analyzing things to a meticulous degree. It's like when you're arguing with your friend about whether pineapple on pizza is *technically* a fruit or a topping based on its botanical classification versus culinary use—that's a bit 'scotistic.' It implies a highly analytical, perhaps even hair-splitting, approach to logic and reasoning, often found in academic or philosophical debates. It contrasts with more straightforward or generalized thinking.