The Hypothesis of the Two Ratzingers

Abstract

This study attempts to verify the hypothesis of two contrasting phases in Ratzinger's intellectual evolution: in the first decades he was a progressive theologian, and then he suddenly became a conservative. Before examining the hypothesis, I provide the author's intellectual context and consider his trajectory in that context. I examine the hypothesis in the following steps: first I establish that it is not implausible in the abstract. Then I make a brief analysis of the secondary sources on the issue. From there I focus on the primary sources. Thirdly, I explain what these are. Fourthly, I give some examples of the author's theological development. In the fifth and last step I document that the author has denied such a substantial mutation, establish that there are some constants in the fundamental orientation of his theology and that, on the other hand, no significant evidence to the contrary can be found. I conclude that the hypothesis can be denied, both from primary and secondary sources, at the expense of further research.