literalism

This term describes a rigid adherence to the surface meaning of words, often resulting in a failure to grasp nuance, irony, or symbolic intent. It carries a connotation of inflexibility and is frequently used in critical contexts to describe a lack of imaginative or interpretive depth.

In religious or legal contexts, it refers to a specific hermeneutic approach where texts are treated as precise historical or factual accounts. This often contrasts with allegorical or metaphorical interpretations, positioning the word within debates over dogma and orthodoxy.