SUAREZ'S INFLUENCE ON LEIBNIZ'S METAPHYSICS

The problem arises from Suarez's influence on Leibniz's conception of individuality. For this purpose, Leibniz's Disputatio Metaphysica de principio individui is mainly analyzed. There are three different positions: Thomist, Scotist, and Suarez. Leibniz's idea of "form" is confronted with that of Aristotle and the idea of "substantial form" with scholasticism and Suarez. Leibniz's comparison with Suarez focuses on the key notion of "substantial form" and its various meanings are analyzed. The agreement of both authors has formulated around the thesis that individuation takes place by virtue of the "total entity". Finally, the exact meaning of this expression is analyzed and the differences between the two authors are pointed out, especially those that occur in Leibniz's final evolution. There the conception of the substantial form is introduced as a vital principle that unites bodies.