Quote:
Originally Posted by Zee
What if you take all of the original parts, bit by bit, to build something new? The replacement model has overtaken the original over time and therefore parts of the replacement model have presumably been in use for longer than parts of the original model, so while it is fundamentally a different object, it's still the same model if only in name, surely?
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I suppose it depends how "micro" we go into it. The minute the original structure is altered in any meaningful way, then it instantly becomes different.
It is the same object " a house", but with a different structure. I think viewing the thing as an overall "object" demeans the fundamental problem a philosopher will be trying to address.
I think if I address the "new boat" puzzle in your op, then I'd view it as this:
If you break down the original boat, whilst replacing the parts with new parts, then build the first boat again with the original parts, then you have 2 different boats, but one uses the original parts. Part of that original boat will be things like brackets and nails, that would be non-transferable. However, if you look at it superficially - it's the exact same boat. But being the pedant that I am, it's completely different.
I really like your posts, I often find myself disagreeing with you, but you put your points across in a way that makes me want to continue the discussion, and requires me to think about how I formulate a response.