Cutter of Theseus

Aug 12, 2023 — Comic #306

In a wardroom, an officer asks, “If you replace every part of a ship, is it still the same ship as when you started?” A junior officer asks, “Is this that ‘Ship of Theseus’ thing, ma’am?” She holds up a document: “No, it’s our maintenance schedule.” A loud “CRASH” is heard, and a voice shouts, “Ma’am, the bow fell off again!”

Philosophy’s more of a midwatch thing, tbh

Read the transcript

If you replace every part of a ship, is it still the same ship as when you started? / Is this that “Ship of Theseus” thing, ma’am? / No, it’s our maintenance schedule / CRASH / Ma’am, the bow fell off again!

aging fleet

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