Plato's
theory of Forms or
theory of Ideas asserts that non-material abstract (but
substantial) forms (or ideas), and not the material world of change
known to us through sensation, possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. When used in this sense, the word
form or
idea is often capitalized. Plato speaks of these entities only through the characters (primarily
Socrates) of his dialogues who sometimes suggest that these Forms are the only true objects of study that can provide us with genuine knowledge; thus even apart from the very controversial status of the theory, Plato's own views are much in doubt. Plato spoke of Forms in formulating
a possible solution to the
problem of universals.