What institution did the Inquisition seek to combat?

The Inquisition was primarily established by the Catholic Church with the intent of combating heresy, which refers to beliefs or practices that diverged from established church doctrine. Heretics were individuals or groups who held beliefs contrary to the official teachings of the Church, and the Inquisition aimed to identify, interrogate, and eliminate such views to maintain religious uniformity and authority.

This institution implemented various methods, including trials, confessions, and severe punishments, in an effort to suppress heretical thoughts that threatened the Church's influence and the societal order of the time. While reformers and certain Protestant sects were indeed targeted during the Reformation, the overarching goal of the Inquisition was more broadly focused on heretical beliefs rather than specific movements or philosophies. Philosophers could also be scrutinized, but the central mission of the Inquisition was directed at heretical doctrine itself. Therefore, the Inquisition's main objective was combatting heresy, making this the most accurate answer.