Evolution of Catholic Human Rights Discourse

This chapter traces the historical evolution of Catholic human rights discourse from the School of Salamanca in the 16th century to modern times, examining contrasting perspectives with Thomas Hobbes' ideas and the Enlightenment. It discusses the challenges Catholic teachings faced due to misunderstandings, opposition to liberalism, and condemnations by popes, highlighting the retrieval of the Catholic vision by Pope Leo XIII in the late 19th century.