Studia Neoaristotelica

Volume 6, Issue 2, 2009

A Journal of Analytic Scholasticism

Erik Åkerlund
Pages 159-182

Suárez on Forms, Universals and Understanding
A Journal of Analytic Scholasticism

The interpretations in the secondary literature of Suárez’ position in the “classical” debate on the status of universals vary considerably. In this article, the problem is looked at from a slightly different angle: that of Suárez’ basic metaphysics of substantial forms and his views concerning understanding and knowledge. These areas of Suárez’ thought are thoroughly analysed and related to each other. Regarding the question of the status of universals it is argued that Suárez’ thought in the areas of substantial forms and of understanding generally supports the reading of Suarez as a “moderate nominalist”.