From the Politics of AristotlesHe who thus considers things in their first growth and origin, whether a state or anything else, will obtain the clearest view of them. In the first place there must be a union of those who cannot exist without each other; namely, of male and female, that the race may continue (and this is a union which is formed, not of deliberate purpose, but because, in common with other animals and with plants, mankind have a natural desire to leave behind them an image of themselves), and of natural ruler and subject, that both may be preserved. For that which can foresee by the exercise of mind is by nature intended to be lord and master, and that which can with its body give effect to such foresight is a subject, and by nature a slave; hence master and slave have the same interest. Now nature has distinguished between the female and the slave. For she is not niggardly, like the smith who fashions the Delphian knife for many uses; she makes each thing for a single use, and every instrument is best made when intended for one and not for many uses. But among barbarians no distinction is made between women and slaves, because there is no natural ruler among them: they are a community of slaves, male and female. Wherefore the poets say,
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Juan Ginés de SepúlvedaSepulveda, a distinguished scholar of Aristotle, wasofficial historian of the Spanish crown. In 1547 he wrote TheSecond Democrates to defend the Spanish Conquest of the Americas.He used the substance of that argument when he debated Bartolomede Las Casas three years later.
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Bartolomé de Las CasasThe Dominican friar was his era's most outspoken critic ofthe Conquest.
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Superior SpanishUSE OF FORCEThe man rules over the woman, the adult over his children.That is to say, the most powerful and most perfect rule over theweakest and most imperfect. The same relationship exists amongmen, there being some who by nature are masters and others who bynature are slaves.Those who surpass the rest in prudence and intelligence,although not in physical strength, are by nature the masters. Onthe other hand, those who are dim-witted and mentally lazy,although they may be physically strong enough to fulfill all thenecessary tasks, are by nature slaves.It is just and useful that it be this way. We even see itsanctioned in the Book of Proverbs: "He who is stupid will servethe wise man" [11:29].And so it is with the barbarous and inhumane peoples [theIndians] who have no civil life and peaceful customs. It willalways be just and in conformity with natural law that suchpeople submit to the rule of the more cultured and humane princesand nations. Thanks to their virtues and the practical wisdom oftheir laws, the latter [the Spanish] can destroy barbarism andeducate these people to a more humane and virtuous life. And ifthe latter [the Indians] reject such rule, it can be imposed uponthem by force of arms. Such a war will be just, according tonatural law....Barbaric IndiansUntil now we have mentioned their impious religion and theirabominable sacrifices, in which they worship the Devil as God, towhom they thought of offering no better tribute than humanhearts...They placed these hearts on their abominable altars.With this ritual they believed that they had appeased their gods.They also ate the flesh of sacrificed men.War against these barbarians can be justified not only onthe basis of their paganism but even more so because of theirabominable licentiousness, their prodigious sacrifice of humanvictims, the extreme harm that they inflicted on innocentpersons, their horrible banquets of human flesh, and the impiouscult of their idols....Merciful forceSince the evangelical law of the New Testament is moreperfect and more gentle than the Mosiac law of the Old Testament,so also wars are now waged with more mercy and clemency. Theirpurpose is not so much to punish as to correct evils.What is more appropriate and beneficial for these barbariansthan to become subject to the rule those whose wisdom, virtue,and religion have converted them from barbarism into civilizedmen (insofar as they are capable of becoming so), from beingtorpid and licentious to becoming servants of the Devil tobecoming believers of the true God?For these barbarians, our rule ought to be even moreadvantageous than for our Spaniards, since virtue, humanity, andthe true religion are more valuable than gold or silver. And ifthey refuse our rule, they may be compelled by force of arms toaccept it. Such a war will be just according to natural law. |
Human equalityUSE PERSUASIONThere are no races in the world, however rude, uncultivated,barbarous, gross, or almost brutal they may be, who cannot bepersuaded and brought to a good order and way of life....Thus, the entire human race is one; all men are alike withrespect to their creation and the things of nature, and none isborn already taught. And so we all have the need, from thebeginning, to be guided and helped by those who have been bornearlier.Thus, when some very rustic peoples are found in the world,they are like untilled land, which easily produces worthlessweeds and thorns, but has within itself so much natural powerthat when it is plowed and cultivated it gives useful andwholesome fruits....Noble IndiansAll the races of the world have understanding and will, andthat which results from these two faculties in man--that is, freechoice. And consequently, all have the power and ability orcapacity...to be instructed, persuaded, and attracted to orderand reason and laws and virtue and all goodness.They are very apt to receive our holy Catholic faith, to beendowed with virtuous customs, and to behave in a godly fashion.And once they begin to hear the tidings of the faith, they are soinsistent on knowing more...that truly, the missionaries who arehere need to be endowed by God with great patience to endure sucheagerness. Some of the secular Spaniards who have been here formany years say that the goodness of the Indians is undeniable,and that is this gifted people could be brought to know the onetrue God, they would be the most fortunate people in the world.A method contrary to the one we have been defending would bethe following: Pagans should first be subjected, whether theywished to be or not, to the rule of Christian people, and thatonce they were subjected, organized preaching would follow.But if the pagans find themselves first injured, oppressed,saddened, and afflicted by the misfortunes of wars, through lossof their children, their gods, and their own liberty...how canthey be moved voluntarily to listen to what is proposed to themabout faith, religion, justice, and truth...?Merciful persuasionThe one and only method of teaching men the true religionwas established by Divine Providence for the whole world, and forall times: that is, by persuading the understanding throughreasons, and by gently attracting or exhorting his will.Divine Wisdom moves rational creatures, that is, men, totheir actions or operates gently....Therefore, the method ofteaching men the true religion ought to be gentle, enticing, andpleasant. This method is by persuading the understanding and byattracting the will.Hearers, especially pagans, should understand that thepreachers of the faith have no intention of acquiring power overthem....Preachers should be slow themselves so mild and humble,courteous and...good-willed that the hearers eagerly wish tolisten and hold their teaching in greater reverence.[Preachers must] posses that same love of charity by whichPaul was accustomed to love men in the world that they might besaved: "You are witnesses and God also, how holy and just andblameless was our conduct towards you who have believed." |