When does something stop being itself? The Ship of Theseus is a paradox first documented in the late first century CE by the Greek philosopher Plutarch and later changed by Thomas Hobbes that explores how identity evolves. The Ship of Theseus extends beyond its literal context and serves as a framework for exploring identity, continuity, and transformation.

Theseus was a legendary hero and king of Athens, known for slaying the Minotaur in the Labyrinth of Crete and uniting the region of Attica under Athenian rule. His ship, used during the voyage to Crete, became a symbol of Athenian pride. The Athenians preserved it for centuries, replacing each plank as soon as it rotted away. But after maintaining it for so long, they had replaced every plank, leaving no part of the original ship intact. This raises an important question: is the ship being maintained still the original Ship of Theseus?