Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian, known for his influential works in the fields of philosophy and Christian theology. He is best known for his synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine, particularly in his major work, the Summa Theologica. Aquinas aimed to demonstrate that faith and reason are compatible, arguing that human reason can lead to knowledge of God. Aquinas's ideas laid the groundwork for much of modern Western thought, particularly in the areas of ethics and metaphysics. His teachings have had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and continue to be studied in philosophy and theology courses around the world.