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Step-by-step explanation:
Plato's concept of the pre-existent soul is deeply rooted in his philosophical ideas, particularly in his dialogues "Phaedo" and "Timaeus." In these works, Plato explores the nature of the soul, its existence before birth, and its immortality.
According to Plato, the soul is immortal and existed before it entered the human body. In the dialogue "Phaedo," Socrates presents the theory of recollection to argue for the pre-existence of the soul. The theory suggests that our ability to learn is not the acquisition of new knowledge but rather the recollection of knowledge already known by the soul before it entered the body. In other words, the soul possesses innate knowledge that it recollects when prompted by sensory experiences in the material world.
In the "Timaeus," Plato elaborates on the creation of the world and the origin of souls. He introduces the idea that the Demiurge (a divine craftsman or creator) shaped the cosmos and created souls as immortal and rational entities. These souls were assigned to bodies and given a specific destiny based on their characteristics and behavior.
The pre-existent soul, in Plato's view, is part of a larger metaphysical framework that encompasses the eternal and unchanging realm of Forms or Ideas. The physical world we perceive with our senses is considered imperfect and transient, while the world of Forms is eternal and immutable. Souls, having pre-existed in the realm of Forms, temporarily inhabit bodies during their earthly existence.
Overall, Plato's concept of the pre-existent soul underscores his belief in the transcendental nature of reality and the idea that the soul's existence extends beyond the temporal and material confines of the physical body.