Thomas was a proponent of natural theology and the father of a school of thought (encompassing both theology and philosophy) known as Thomism. He argued that God is the source of the light of natural reason and the light of faith.[7] He embraced[8] several ideas put forward by Aristotle and attempted to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with the principles of Christianity.[9] He has been described as "the most influential thinker of the medieval period"[10] and "the greatest of the medieval philosopher-theologians".[11] According to the English philosopher Anthony Kenny, Thomas was "one of the greatest philosophers of the Western world".[12]
As a Doctor of the Church, Thomas Aquinas is considered one of the Catholic Church's greatest theologians and philosophers.[14] He is known in Catholic theology as the Doctor Angelicus ("Angelic Doctor", with the title "doctor" meaning "teacher"), and the Doctor Communis ("Universal Doctor").[a] In 1999, John Paul II added a new title to these traditional ones: Doctor Humanitatis ("Doctor of Humanity/Humaneness").[15]
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