The World Soul and the Emergence of Human Life

Abstract Marsilio Ficino’s view on ensoulment, which can be extrapolated from his critique of natal astrology, relies the relations metaphysical proportion between different levels life and being are central to Platonic philosophy. Drawing primarily Plotinus, Ficino describes emergence in embryo as a process World Soul is true agent. For him, ‘human nature’ that present developing attracts into mother’s womb seed Soul’s vegetative power. Once channelled womb, power animates embryo’s body. Now endowed with organic life, becomes irresistibly attractive rational soul, this way drawn down it embodied. Ficino, moment when ‘rational’ ensoulment happens completely irrelevant prefiguring one’s path, contrary what was claimed by astrology. Nevertheless, leaves an important mark physio-psychological makeup.