In the world of philosophy, many questions of identity and change have been posed in various ways over thousands of years. The Ship of Theseus paradox is one of them. It is also one of the most enduring thought experiments in philosophy. At its core, the paradox questions whether an object that has been completely replaced of all its parts is still the same object.
From Greek mythology to modern-day applications in technology, art restoration, and personal identity, the Ship of Theseus paradox challenges us to rethink what truly defines “sameness.” What do ancient philosophers say about identity? In a world that is constantly changing, what does this puzzle say about persistence? Click through this gallery to find out.