Thinking in English 350. The Ship of Theseus: What Makes Something Truly the Same? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Aug 25, 2025
What defines our identity as we change over time? The podcast delves into the Ship of Theseus, a famous philosophical thought experiment that questions if an object remains the same when all its parts are replaced. It invites listeners to ponder their own transformations—are you still the same person if your personality and memories evolve? With relatable examples, this discussion challenges our perceptions of identity, continuity, and the essence of who we are.
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Restored Watch Sparked The Question
- Tom Wilkinson watched a watch-repair video where many parts were replaced during restoration.
- He wondered if the repaired watch remained the same object after 25–50% of its parts were new.
Theseus' Ship And Its Generations Of Repairs
- Tom recounts the myth of Theseus and how Athens preserved his ship as a symbol.
- The people replaced rotten planks over generations until none of the original wood remained.
Plutarch Framed The Paradox
- Plutarch framed the replaced-ship as a standing example that split philosophers into two camps.
- The paradox: if every part is replaced, is the object still the same?
