We tend to think that our identity is unique and immutable, that it is always the same, however, the truth is that our identity is more fragile than it seems, to better understand this, the paradox of the ship Theseus can serve as an example. .
Such a paradox reads: “During his travels, the wood would break or rot, and had to be replaced. When Theseus returned home, the ship he docked in the harbor no longer had any part of the ship that had left once. the crew had no doubt it was the same boat.
- The history of Theseo’s ship is a replacement paradox.
- If an object has all its parts replaced.
- Is it still the same object?This paradox can also apply to us.
- To people.
- Do we still be the same if our physique changes.
- What if our personality changes?.
According to Greek legend, he was the founding king of Athens. Other legends point out that it was poseidon himself. In one of Theseo’s stories, the voyage of a ship from Crete to Athens is recounted. 300 years, resulting in the replacement of several pieces. In the end, after so long, the ship no longer resembled the original. None of the ship’s parts matched the first parts used in its construction.
The question is: if a 30-row boat only has one paddle replaced, will it still be the same boat?, what if 15 trains are replaced?What if all the trains were replaced, what if the broken boards were replaced instead of the dars, what if all the boards on the ship were replaced in the end?The problem, and what makes it a paradox, is that it is very difficult to know exactly how much a different thing becomes if its parts are replaced.
The philosopher Thomas Hobbes has overcome this paradox. He said all replaced pieces of wood should be preserved. Thus, when all the parts had been replaced, a new ship could be built with the old parts. Aside from this story, Hobbes asked the following questions: which of these is true?Theseus Boat? What was done with the original material, you can say. But Theseus doesn’t think so, he thinks his ship has been renovated, not replaced.
Do we have a stable identity or can it change?The philosopher Hereclito took up his position with his famous statement: “No man can cross the same river twice, because neither man nor water will be equal. “Therefore, the question arises whether the identity is renewed or changed, remains the same, or becomes another.
In the case of people, this paradox is simpler when it comes to the physical, even if there are multiple organ transplants, no changes can ever be made to the body to replace it completely, so it is understood that the person remains the same. On the other hand, there seems to be consensus that people are your brain.
But is this a problem? As science progresses, we get closer and closer to the point where we can say that the brain is an organ like any other and therefore can also be replaced. What if we could technically transfer our thoughts, memories and plans to another brain or to a system that behaves like this?Will we still be the same person?
When we look in the mirror over the years, we don’t see the same person, our physical appearance changes, just like our personality. However, people are not only the physical and the personality, people are also your relationships with others, your actions on what surrounds you, your projects, your works, etc. , are also your social identities.
As long as everything stays the same, even if what’s around you changes, the person will stay the same, right?Like any paradox, Theseo’s ship still can’t find an answer, but thinking about it can help us better understand and accept change. .