Which philosopher's works did Thomas Aquinas synthesize with Christianity?

Thomas Aquinas is renowned for synthesizing the philosophical frameworks of Aristotle with Christian theology. He studied Aristotelian ideas extensively, such as the nature of reality, the concept of substance, and ethics. This integration allowed Aquinas to provide rational explanations for Christian doctrines, thereby bridging faith with reason. For instance, Aquinas used Aristotle’s notion of the “unmoved mover” to articulate the concept of God and to argue for the existence of a divine being. His work laid a foundation for Scholastic thought in the medieval period, where reason and faith could coexist. This synthesis enhanced the understanding of Christian teachings and contributed significantly to Western philosophy.

In contrast, the other philosophers mentioned do not have the same direct influence on Aquinas' work within the Christian framework. Plato's ideas, while important, are more idealistic and were not the primary source Aquinas engaged with. Heraclitus' focus on change and flux does not align with Aquinas' synthesis of a stable and unchanging God. Socrates, known primarily for his contributions to ethics and epistemology, did not provide a systematic philosophical framework that Aquinas could synthesize with Christianity in the same manner as Aristotle. Thus, Aristotle is the key figure in this context, making him