The Paradox of Theseus’ Ship and the Essence Within

Who am I at my core?

The paradox of Theseus’ ship has occupied my thoughts. It poses the question, “Is it the same ship?” and as I contemplate its intricacies, I engage in a conversation with my brother that leads me to a profound realisation.

The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment about whether an object which has had all of its original components replaced remains the same object. According to legend, Theseus, the mythical Greek founder-king of Athens, rescued the children of Athens from King Minos after slaying the minotaur and then escaped onto a ship going to Delos. Each year, the Athenians commemorated this by taking the ship on a pilgrimage to Delos to honour Apollo. A question was raised by ancient philosophers: After several centuries of maintenance, if each individual part of the Ship of Theseus was replaced, one at a time, was it still the same ship?

I had a conversation with my brother about this. I explain that if every part of myself were replaced, I would perceive the rebuilt ship as a better version of me – a vessel renewed and improved. However, my brother offers a contrasting viewpoint. He believes that no matter the changes or upgrades, he would still regard himself as the same ship – unaffected and steadfast in his essence.

This divergence in our viewpoints intrigued me – I noticed that the answer to this paradox hinges upon our own perception of self. It becomes clear that our response is deeply rooted in how we perceive ourselves.

For me, I embrace the belief that I am a work in progress – a ship that requires continuous fixing and refinement. Each change or upgrade I undertake propels me closer to an idealised version of myself. Conversely, my brother finds contentment and authenticity in his unchanging nature. He sees each transformation as an affirmation of his intrinsic identity – an evolution rather than a progression towards a better self.

I am struck by the significance of uncovering our core and embracing our true selves. To imagine that under the surface-level veils of appearance and societal expectations, lies an essence that defines our authentic being. The paradox of Theseus’ ship highlights the importance of authenticity and the pursuit of understanding our true nature.

Thus, beneath the ever-changing ship and amidst the transient nature of existence, I am confronted with a profound question: Who am I at my core?