Platonic philosophy, founded by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, emphasizes the existence of abstract forms or ideals, known as Forms. According to this view, the physical world is a mere shadow of these perfect, unchanging realities. For example, the concept of beauty exists as a perfect Form, while individual beautiful objects are imperfect representations of that ideal. Central to Platonic thought is the belief in the importance of reason and knowledge. Plato argued that through philosophical inquiry and dialectic, individuals can access these higher truths. This pursuit of knowledge leads to a deeper understanding of reality and the moral virtues that guide human behavior.