The Ship of Theseus: A Philosophical Thought Experiment Explained.
The Ship of Theseus thought experiment raises questions about the material composition of objects and the nature of time. Philosophers must deal with conundrums such as whether two things can occupy the same place at the same time, how parts relate to a whole, and how to think about the nature of time. The question itself assumes a particular ontology, or theory of being. The ship of Theseus can also be seen as a metaphor for the self: "If we change, are we a different person?"