whereas Plato conceived of his Forms as a vast array of intangible ideals.

Theory

The Forms are expounded in Plato's dialogues, wherein it is proposed that every kind or quality--goodness, justice, equality, beds, horses, etc.--has a corresponding Form; these Forms are held to be that which is "really real", whereas sensible phenomena (i.e., those perceived through the senses) are merely their "shadows" or imitations: momentary portrayals of the Form, as realized under various circumstances.

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