What theory explains how individuals come to know ethereal forms according to Plato?

Rationalist Epistemology is the correct choice because it aligns with Plato's belief in the theory of forms, where knowledge is obtained primarily through reasoning and intellectual deduction rather than sensory experience. According to Plato, the material world is just a shadow of a higher reality that consists of these ideal forms or essences. Rationalism posits that individuals have innate ideas and can come to understand these abstract concepts through logical thinking and reasoning.

Plato argued that true knowledge transcends what can be observed and is instead accessed through the mind's understanding of these eternal forms. This perspective is central to rationalist thought, which emphasizes the role of reason in acquiring knowledge, thereby providing a framework through which one can comprehend ethereal forms.

In contrast, the other options relate to different philosophical perspectives that do not align with Plato's views. Empiricism focuses on knowledge gained through sensory experience, which Plato would argue is insufficient for understanding the true essence of things. Phenomenology emphasizes the subjective experience of individuals but does not directly address Plato's higher truths. Constructivism suggests that knowledge is constructed through social processes and interactions, differing significantly from Plato’s focus on innate knowledge accessible through rational thought.