How did Thomas Aquinas combine Aristotelian philosophy with the Augustinian tradition?

Thomas Aquinas achieved a landmark synthesis in Western philosophy by integrating Aristotelian philosophy with the Augustinian tradition and Christian theology.12

Rather than forcing a compromise, Aquinas utilized Aristotelian principles as instruments for Christian thought while modifying them whenever they conflicted with core beliefs. He adopted Aristotle’s empirical approach—beginning with data from the senses—to construct a rational science of nature, yet he grounded this within a framework of Providence and divine creation.23

Aquinas combined this with Augustinian and Neoplatonic influences by:
* Distinguishing Essence and Existence: He posited that while creatures possess a composition of essence and existence, God is pure being (esse), a concept that deepened his metaphysical understanding beyond pure Aristotelianism.12
* Elevating Nature through Grace: He maintained that supernatural grace does not destroy nature but perfects and elevates it, allowing human reason to operate autonomously within the light of faith.13
* Redefining the Soul: While adopting the Aristotelian view of the soul as the form of the body, he affirmed the soul's immortality and its unique status as a subsistent entity, aligning with the Christian tradition.12