An idea is given of what an idea is: what elements it consists of, what role each of them plays. It is shown what the meaning of an idea is, how and why it is formed, and how a new entity arises. An understanding of existence as the emergence of novelty is proposed and arguments are given to justify this. Based on Heidegger’s translations of fragments of Heraclitus, it was concluded that Heraclitus could well be considered the founder (“co-author”) of the concept of idea - along with Plato. A distinction is made between two types of existence: the existence of a society that forms in its depths the need for novelty of one kind or another, and the existence of a productively thinking person who creates a mechanism for resolving a problematic situation that has arisen in society. It is shown how they are interconnected and what exactly happens in the area of their connection. The issue of Heidegger's leading role in the formation of a new view of being (“another beginning”) is considered.