The theory of Forms or theory of Ideas is a philosophical theory, concept, or world-view, attributed to Plato, that the physical world is not as real or true as timeless, absolute, unchangeable ideas. Wikipedia
This “recollected” view of knowledge helped to make Plato a “two world” man.
Although there is the obvious and ordinary everyday world we can all see, there
is also another one of eternal perfect “Forms”. Forms are like perfect templates,
so particular things like chairs that we all see in this world are just inferior
copies of the pure or ideal Form of “Chairness”. Only a few specially gifted and
trained people whom he called “Guardians” can ever “see” these ideal Forms.
Not everyone agreed with this.
Introducing Philosophy by Dave Robinson, Judy Groves
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For Plato, forms, such as beauty, are more real than any objects that imitate them. Though the forms are timeless and unchanging, physical things are in a constant change of existence. Where forms are unqualified perfection, physical things are qualified and conditioned.
Theory of forms - Wikipedia
