Sepulveda (Juan de)

Juan de Sepúlveda (1490–1573) was a Spanish philosopher, theologian, and historian known for his defense of colonial Spanish authority and the Spanish conquest of the Americas. He argued that certain peoples, such as Indigenous Americans, were naturally inferior and suited for subjugation, which justified colonization and slavery. His views contrasted with those of fellow Spaniard Bartolomé de las Casas, who advocated for indigenous rights. Sepúlveda's ideas fueled debates on justice and ethics during Spain's colonization efforts, and his work remains notable for its influence on early colonial policies and the moral discussions surrounding colonization.