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Change, Identity, and the Ship of Theseus
Change is constant—a reminder that nothing in life is permanent. The world around us transforms relentlessly: technology reshapes our lives, jobs evolve, and innovations like AI threaten to replace roles once thought irreplaceable—lawyers drafting contracts, pharmacists dispensing prescriptions, even drivers in ride-share services.
Yet while we witness external change, how often do we pause to reflect on the changes within ourselves? How much have we evolved over time? Most people rarely stop to compare who they were years ago to who they are today. Even when they do, they might not see themselves as fundamentally different.
But are we really the same?
Recently, multiple people told me they barely recognize the person I was just five years ago—my demeanor, thoughts, even my appearance have shifted. To them, I’ve transformed. Yet in my own mind, I still feel like the same person.
This dissonance led me to revisit an ancient thought experiment: The Ship of Theseus.
The Ship of Theseus
As a kid, I loved Greek mythology—the original superhero stories. One of its great heroes, Theseus, famously sailed to Crete, defeated the Minotaur, and returned triumphant. His ship was preserved in Athens as a monument, but over time, its planks rotted and were replaced one by one until none of the original wood remained.
This raises two questions:
- Is the restored ship still the Ship of Theseus?
- If someone reassembled all the original planks, would that be the true Ship of Theseus?
At its core, this paradox forces us to confront identity. If every part of an object (or person) is replaced, is it still the same? If you reconstruct the original, which version holds the “true” identity?
You Are the Ship of Theseus
Now, apply this to yourself.
Your body replaces its cells over time—every seven years, you’re physically “rebuilt.” So, are you the same person you were a decade ago? Maybe not atomically, yet you still feel like you.
But what about your mind? Your beliefs, values, and priorities shift with time. Think back:
- At 10, your biggest concerns were toys, friends, and adventures.
- At 20, maybe it was socializing, relationships, or chasing experiences.
- At 30, stability, career, or family might take precedence.
Our younger selves would barely recognize who we’ve become. Ten years ago, I valued material success; today, I care more about meaning than possessions. If past-me met present-me, he’d probably call me a hippie (or worse).
“No Man Steps in the Same River Twice”
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
We’re constantly changing—physically, mentally, emotionally. Yet we cling to the idea of a fixed “self.” The Ship of Theseus has no perfect answer, and neither does the question of personal identity. But that’s not the point.
The point is to reflect. To recognize how far you’ve come, to acknowledge growth, and to embrace the inevitability of change. You’re not the same person you were—and that’s okay. Like the Ship of Theseus, you’re still you, even if every plank has been replaced along the way.