Les débats concernant l’âme, le salut et la « lumière naturelle » chez les païens dans l’Europe de la Réforme catholique Fin xvi^e – début xvii^e siècle

This study explores the religious side of the status of Indians by examining the polemics which arose in the Renaissance concerning the question of their salvation and thus their humanity. While Catholic humanists and theologians viewed the conversion of Indians optimistically, Protestants considered it near impossible. Access to eternal life meant creating the necessary conditions for Christianisation in the New World, not only through missions, but also by adapting to the imposed legal framework.