Representations of indigenous peoples in Francisco de Vitoria’s thought and the ethnocentric origins of modern international law

Abstract

The present essay attempts to understand the representations of the American indigenous peoples in the Francisco de Vitoria’s relecciones by using the theoretical tools from the history of concepts. In order to do this, the historically ascribed meanings of the two main concepts applied to the indigenous peoples had been reconstructed, which are barbarian and savage, both already existing by the time of America’s invasion. Then, taking into consideration these ethnocentric concepts, it is explored the thought of Francisco de Vitoria on international law