• Day 30/365 Ship of Theseus | Are we still the same?

  • Oct 30 2023
  • Length: 1 min
  • Podcast

Day 30/365 Ship of Theseus | Are we still the same?

  • Summary

  • The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment that asks whether a ship that has had all of its parts replaced over time is still the same ship. The thought experiment is attributed to the Greek philosopher Plutarch, who tells the story of the Greek hero Theseus.


    According to Plutarch, Theseus' ship was kept in Athens as a sacred relic. Over time, the ship's parts began to wear out and were replaced one by one. Eventually, no part of the original ship remained. The question is, is the ship that remains still the same ship that Theseus sailed?


    There are two main schools of thought on this question. One school of thought says that the ship is still the same ship as long as it retains its original form and function. This view is based on the idea that identity is determined by essence, or what something is made of. According to this view, the ship is still the same ship even if all of its parts have been replaced, because it still has the same essence.


    The other school of thought says that the ship is no longer the same ship once all of its parts have been replaced. This view is based on the idea that identity is determined by continuity, or the unbroken chain of events that make up a thing's history. According to this view, the ship is no longer the same ship once all of its parts have been replaced, because it no longer has the same continuity.


    There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of this debate. The essence view seems to be supported by the fact that the ship still looks and functions like the original ship. However, the continuity view seems to be supported by the fact that the ship is made up of entirely new parts.


    Ultimately, the answer to the question of whether the Ship of Theseus is still the same ship is a matter of philosophical interpretation. There is no right or wrong answer, and both sides of the debate have valid points.

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