Single Idea 12855

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 9. Ship of Theseus]

Full Idea

The 'best candidate' theories get into difficulty because it is assumed that there is a single uniquely correct answer to the question 'Which is the real ship?'

Gist of Idea

The 'best candidate' theories mistakenly assume there is one answer to 'Which is the real ship?'

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 5.5)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.204


A Reaction

My own example supports Simons. If Theseus discards the old planks as rubbish, then his smart new ship is the original. But if he steals his own ship (to evade insurance regulations) by substituting a plank at a time, the removed planks are the original.