Thought experiment that asks whether an object remains the same object if its parts are replaced one by one

Certainly! The thought experiment you’re referring to is known as the “ship of Theseus” paradox, and it goes something like this: suppose you have a ship, and over time every single one of its parts is replaced until none of the original parts remain. Is it still the same ship?

The answer to that question is somewhat subjective, but the paradox has been discussed by philosophers for centuries because it raises fundamental questions about identity and change.

Interestingly, the paradox has also given rise to a number of theories about how philosophers might approach the problem. One of the most prominent theories is known as “mereological essentialism,” which suggests that an object’s identity is determined by the essential properties of its parts. In other words, if all the parts of the ship are replaced with parts that have the same essential properties, then the ship remains the same ship.

Now, as for the crossword clue you mentioned, “Ship of Theseus” is actually the name of the paradox itself. It’s named after the ship in a story about Theseus, a hero from Greek mythology, who sailed on a ship that was later maintained by replacing its parts one by one. The paradox has become famous in philosophy and is often used as a thought experiment to explore questions about identity, change, and continuity.

So, the answer to the crossword clue “Ship of Theseus” is the name given to the thought experiment that asks whether an object remains the same object if its parts are replaced one by one.