Dualism describes the soul and body as separate
The argument that the body and soul exist separately is supported by dualism.
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The Argument
Dualism is the idea that the body and soul exist in separate planes, and that the soul does not necessarily rely on the body. To Plato, the most significant dualism supporter, every object had another metaphysical form in a different dimension that was the ideal, perfect version of that object. Thus, the object of the body and the perfect essence of the person, the soul exist separately.[1]
For Plato's theory of the soul and most dualists, the soul is eternal. It existed before the body and continues on after death. It can reincarnate in other bodies when necessary and seeks to mold itself after the ideal soul and reach self-actualization. In addition, the soul is viewed as the same as the conscience and the mind.[2]
Counter arguments
The soul and body do not exist separately but are tied together and codependent. Without the soul, the body could not function and without the body, the soul would be useless. If the soul could exist on its own, we would have no reason for a body; the fact that we have bodies and depend on them so much is proof that body and soul exist as one.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] The soul and body exist in separate planes of existence.
[P2] The soul can inhabit many bodies and continues on after bodily death.
[P3] The soul encompasses the essence of personality, and includes the mind and conscience.