Phaedo
•Socrates’
4 arguments for immortality of the soul
•The
Theory of Recollection explains that we possess some
non-empirical knowledge (e.g. The Form of Equality) at birth, implying
the soul existed before birth to carry that knowledge. Another
account of the theory is found in Plato's Meno, although in
that case Socrates implies anamnesis (previous knowledge of everything)
whereas he is not so bold in Phaedo.
•The Affinity Argument explains that invisible,
immortal, and incorporeal things are different from visible, mortal,
and corporeal things. Our soul is of the former, while our body is of
the latter, so when our bodies die and decay, our soul will
continue to live.