Francisco de Vitoria

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the life of Francisco de Vitoria. According to the paper, Francisco de Vitoria was extremely influential in the Catholic Church as a jurist and for his "just war theory," which questioned the inhumane treatment of natives in North and South America after Columbus' discovery of the New World. The paper reports that as an educator, philosopher, and theologian, Francisco de Vitoria is known as the "father of international and natural law".

From the Paper:

"While Vitoria's ideas did not always match Catholic philosophy, he consistently remained in favor with the Popes in power. They often asked for his guidance and ideas on thorny topics, from suicide to law governing the conquest of foreign lands. His biographer and translator, John P. Doyle notes, "Indeed, his favor with the emperor was an important factor in the positive reception of that condemnation and the adoption in 1542 of 'The New Laws of the Indies,' which has been called the 'most Christian code ever promulgated in a colonial situation'" (Doyle 13). Thus, while sometimes his theories did not match those of the Church, he still gained the respect and admiration of Church leaders, so much so that he was often consulted in theological and spiritual matters. In fact, Emperor Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556 asked Vitoria to represent Spain at the Council of Trent that had been commissioned by Pope Paul VI in 1545. However, Vitoria could not attend the momentous Council, as he was in very poor health and died the following year."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Capizzi, Joseph E. "The Children of God: Natural Slavery in the Thought of Aquinas and Vitoria." Theological Studies 63.1 (2002): 31+.
• Editors. "Vitoria." Oregon State University. 2006. 17 Jan. 2007.<http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/philosophers/vitoria.html>
• Schroeder, Joseph. "Francis of Vittoria." Catholic Encyclopedia. 2006. 17 Jan. 2007.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06232a.htm>
• Scott, James Brown. The Spanish Origin of International Law. Oxford, England: The Clarendon Press, 1934.
• Vitoria, Francisco de. Reflection on Homicide & Commentary on Summa Theologiae Iia-Iiae Q. 64 (Thomas Aquinas). Trans. John P. Doyle. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 1997.

More papers on Francisco de Vitoria:

• Descriptive Essay # 106458 : "Mission San Francisco de Asis (Dolores)"
• Essay # 1943 : "'The Annunciation' as Interpreted by Francisco de Zurbaran"
• Book Review # 128925 : "The Elite of San Francisco"

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