Consider how every chair you've seen is different. Yet they are all chairs. What is 'chair-ness'? The Forms theory is that there is a single ideal chair, and this truly exists - not materially, but non-materially as a concept or way of understanding chairs, but real. That is, the 'essence' of a chair exists. All chairs are imperfect representations of the essence of a chair, being perfect chairs or representing the essence of a chair to a greater or lesser degree.
You might find Neal Stephenson's bool Anathem a wonderful read. It's one of my favorites. I want to tell you why without spoilers but I can't (it won't be what you expect) -- but if you read it perhaps you'll find it interesting re this topic.
Consider how every chair you've seen is different. Yet they are all chairs. What is 'chair-ness'? The Forms theory is that there is a single ideal chair, and this truly exists - not materially, but non-materially as a concept or way of understanding chairs, but real. That is, the 'essence' of a chair exists. All chairs are imperfect representations of the essence of a chair, being perfect chairs or representing the essence of a chair to a greater or lesser degree.
You might find Neal Stephenson's bool Anathem a wonderful read. It's one of my favorites. I want to tell you why without spoilers but I can't (it won't be what you expect) -- but if you read it perhaps you'll find it interesting re this topic.