For instance, if we interpret Plato as saying that we all have a moral sense, an inner knowledge of what is good and what is not, and philosophers have a better ability to articulate and grasp that moral core in every one of us, then there is no mention of the Forms and Plato’s ethics seems defensible (whether or not it’s right or not is another question).

Now I believe that’s the essence of what Plato argued and the Forms are not necessarily that important in his ethics. In fact, I would argue that Plato created his metaphysical views to add support to his ethical views, not the other way around.

I just wanted to point out that this also explodes Plato’s moral theories. Although (to my deep irritation) most popular and classroom treatments of Plato’s moral theories ignores his metaphysical views, it is clear that in the Dialogues Plato considers his ethical and metaethical views to be dependent upon and derived from his metaphysical views. Without ‘the form of the Good’, Plato’s morality is nothing more than a shell game in which all cups are empty.