strict vs. rigorous

[thedaffodils]

Hi,

Is "strict" synymous with "rigorous"? Can I replace "strict" with "rigorous" in the following context?

Feynman's simple but clever experiments allowed him, in a rigorous fashion, to satisfy his curiosity about ant behavior.

Thank you!

 

[konungursvia]

Yes, although strict usually means narrow and limited, whereas rigorous actually means logically consistent and therefore water-tight or reliable.

 

[Barb_D]

Perhaps in this context they are similar but they are not synonyms. A teacher may have a strict rule about not allowing anyone to enter the class after the start time, but that's hardly a rigorous requirement.

 

[thedaffodils]

that's hardly a rigorous requirement.

Is that because it is not logically consistant as Konungursvia indicates?

Thank you!

 

[Barb_D]

You must draw your own conclusions about the two answers.

 

[konungursvia]

Rigorous is normally used to describe a theory or body of scientific work. It means there are no errors or inconsistencies. Strict comes from a word meaning narrow or tight, and is more often than not used when normative rules such as morals are in question.