“To kill a man is not to defend a doctrine, it is to kill a man”: notes about Sébastien Castellio’s strategy of argument in the case of Michael Servetus

Abstract

The writings of Sébastien Castellion take as the main reason the punishment of Miguel Servet in Geneva in 1553. His arguments turn mainly against the punishment of the called heretic with death and, consequently, against John Calvin, reformer who had important performance in the condemnation of the Spanish doctor. This article presents the arguments present in some Castellion books, considered one of inaugurators the idea of religious tolerance and freedom of expression.