Single Idea 16157

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

Full Idea

No insurance company, presented with a policy written for 'Theoris' [the original ship] would pay for damages suffered if the ship contructed from the old planks had been shipwrecked.

Gist of Idea

Insurance on the original ship would hardly be paid out if the plank version was wrecked!

Source

Michael Frede (Individuals in Aristotle [1978])

Book Reference

Frede,Michael: 'Essays in Ancient Philosophy' [University of Minnesota 1987], p.66


A Reaction

A very nicely dramatic way of presenting what is taken to be the usual reading of the basic case - that the original identity tracks the continuity of the original structure, not the matter.