What is the paradox?
The Athenians preserved the ship of the hero Theseus by swapping out rotting planks one at a time. Eventually none of the original wood remained. Is it still Theseus's ship? Hobbes added a twist: suppose someone collected all the discarded planks and rebuilt the ship. Which one is the real Ship of Theseus?
How do philosophers answer?
Some say identity follows the original material. Others say what matters is continuity of form and function. Still others argue "same" is a convention that shifts with context. The puzzle feeds directly into personal identity: your cells are constantly replaced, so are you the same person you were ten years ago? John Locke pointed to continuity of memory as the key.
FAQ
- Is there an accepted answer?
- No. It depends on whether you prioritize material, structure, function, or history.
- Where does it come up today?
- Bands that replace every member, restored heritage sites, and debates about corporate identity.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Plutarch. Life of Theseus, 23.1.
- Hobbes, T. (1655). De Corpore, Part II, ch. 11.
- Wiggins, D. (2001). Sameness and Substance Renewed. Cambridge University Press.