Reflections on Clavijero and his Alleged Dispute Against the Enlightened Europeans

Abstract

This research studies Clavijero´s criteria when demonstrating the American indian´s capability to establish metaphysical abstractions. The author proves this by a profound analysis of the indian´s language and their conceptual numerations, demonstrating that the writings of Clavijero have philosophical argumentations rather than the classical apologetically view commonly interpreted. The text suggests that Clavijero has been influenced by Gianbattista Vico´s theories, and that although Clavijero opposes his thesis to De Paw, he follows other modern authors such as Montesquieu and Buffon when exploring naturalistic causes. The research initiates its argumentation pointing out that there is a common philosophical root between Clavijero and Francisco Xavier Alegre, another criollo jesuit of the time, both arguing in different manner and exploring different problems, but with the same anthropological understanding of human nature. The researcher points out towards an emancipatory emphasis that characterizes Alegre´s discourse and that influence Clavijero´s argumentation.