Unlike many currents in the Church of the time, Thomas embraced several ideas put forward by Aristotle—whom he called "the Philosopher"—and attempted to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with the principles of Christianity.
Erinevalt mitmetest oma kaasaegsetest Katoliku kirikus, võttis Thomas omaks mitmed Aristotelese – keda ta kutsus hüüdnimega "Filosoof" – ideid, üritades aristotelismi siduda kristluse printsiipidega.