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It's not Plato's theory but most of Ancient Greeks's view in general.

They use the word psyche (which means soul in greek), which was considered to be immortal even after the body (soma in greek) was dead. They had separated words because they already thought humans are separated into body and soul.


As Homer stressed, dead people's souls were still alive after their death, thus why Odysseus met the soul of great ancient warriors in underwold (Hades). The same applies for Hercules who also entered the Hades and saw dead people's soul still alive. In general, Greeks considered soul and body two separate things. Plato also expressed the opinion that dead souls returned to sky and transformed in stars. The theory of immortal soul was spread all over Asia during the Hellenistic period (appr. for 3 centuries) thanks to Alexander the great. Based on this famous belief, first christians claimed also that the psyche lives after death going to paradise.


You can also read more interesting and impressive theories about human body construction by the Gods in Plato's Timaeus book,in which he thoroughly explains the important hierarchy of Head, Heart and Genitals

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Q: Why does Plato believe the soul is immortal?
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