🚢Understand the Ship of Theseus
Explore the oldest identity puzzle in philosophy. Learn why replacing every plank of a ship — or every cell in your body — forces you to rethink what 'same' actually means.
Phase 1The Paradox That Won't Sink
The paradox and why it resists easy answers
Replace every plank — is it still the same ship?
7 minReplace every plank — is it still the same ship?
The sorites problem — one plank is fine, so when does it break?
7 minThe sorites problem — one plank is fine, so when does it break?
This isn't academic — identity through change is everywhere
7 minThis isn't academic — identity through change is everywhere
Aristotle saw it first — identity has four dimensions, not one
7 minAristotle saw it first — identity has four dimensions, not one
Phase 2Four Ways to Answer the Puzzle
Four philosophical responses to identity through change
Follow the path, not the parts — the continuity theory
7 minFollow the path, not the parts — the continuity theory
If you change a part, you change the whole — the strict view
7 minIf you change a part, you change the whole — the strict view
What if the ship isn't a thing — but a process stretched through time?
7 minWhat if the ship isn't a thing — but a process stretched through time?
Maybe 'same' is a decision, not a discovery
7 minMaybe 'same' is a decision, not a discovery
Locke's radical answer — you are your memories, not your body
7 minLocke's radical answer — you are your memories, not your body
Phase 3The Ship Is Everywhere — Modern Identity Puzzles
Modern puzzles from teleporters to git repositories
The teleporter scans you, destroys you, and prints a copy — did you survive?
7 minThe teleporter scans you, destroys you, and prints a copy — did you survive?
Is today's company the same one that signed the contract?
7 minIs today's company the same one that signed the contract?
The restored painting — is it the original or a very careful copy?
7 minThe restored painting — is it the original or a very careful copy?
Git repositories, save files, and digital copies — is the Ship in your codebase?
7 minGit repositories, save files, and digital copies — is the Ship in your codebase?
Phase 4Your Position on Persistence
Defend your own position on persistence and identity
State your position — what makes something the 'same thing'?
8 minState your position — what makes something the 'same thing'?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Ship of Theseus paradox?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Ship of Theseus” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Is the Ship of Theseus the same ship after all planks are replaced?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Ship of Theseus” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How does the Ship of Theseus relate to personal identity?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Ship of Theseus” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What are the main philosophical answers to the Ship of Theseus?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Ship of Theseus” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Does the Ship of Theseus have a definitive answer?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Ship of Theseus” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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