The term "scholastic philosophy" refers to the philosophical tradition that developed in the medieval universities of Western Europe. The tradition was characterized by a systematic attempt to reconcile Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy. Some synonyms for scholastic philosophy include medieval philosophy, Aristotelian metaphysics, Thomas Aquinas' philosophy, and Christian philosophy. These synonyms all highlight the central features of scholastic philosophy, which include a focus on the nature of being, the relationship between faith and reason, and the use of dialectical reasoning to arrive at philosophical conclusions. Despite criticisms of scholastic philosophy as overly focused on abstract reasoning, it remains an important and influential philosophical tradition in the Western world.