Chapter 1: An Existential Hike

Recently, during a winter hike, I stumbled upon a profound realization amid the snowy landscapes of a nearby national park.

As I perched on the edge of a small frozen lake—too vast to be merely a pond yet too modest to be considered a lake—I observed a mesmerizing flurry of snowflakes, stirred into motion by the winds that swept through the pine trees. The sun, striving to pierce through the clouds, cast a warm light upon the falling snow, creating a beautiful contrast with the cold air. The trees groaned as they danced with the wind, and the snowbanks sparkled under the sun's rays. Despite my exhaustion from trudging through the snow for nearly two hours, I felt rejuvenated and energized.

In the heart of winter, everything around me pulsated with life.

Many of us are familiar with the thought experiment known as the Ship of Theseus, which delves into identity and essence, questioning how we truly comprehend the nature of things.

The Ship of Theseus is a metaphorical vessel that has had all its parts replaced over time, prompting philosophical inquiries into whether it remains the same ship. This idea often extends to our own bodies, as our cells regenerate and transform while we maintain a sense of identity throughout our lives. Is this continuity justified by our self-awareness and memories?

However, this discussion will not focus on self-identity or object essence. Instead, we will shift our gaze upwards to the sails, which may be equally worthy of contemplation.

The essence of the physical world is present in everything—it permeates all matter, our consciousness, the scientific tools we use to observe, and our emotional understanding. It is this life force that merits deeper exploration.

As important as the structure of the ship is, it is essential to examine the wind that fills the sails of Theseus. This wind embodies the pulse of the universe, uniting all things and imbuing them with meaning.

What if a portion of the 95% of energy we cannot perceive flows through all matter, acting as a force itself? Much like water soaking into soil or cold seeping through brick, could there be a natural force interwoven within the fabric of particles? We observe various manifestations of this phenomenon, with electrical charge being one of the most intriguing—electromagnetism is even classified as one of nature's four fundamental forces.

Matter continuously influences us: a campfire can mesmerize and warm us, while ocean waves beckon us to the shore. Seasons sway our moods, and the moon affects agriculture, ultimately impacting our harvests. We remain tied to the rhythms of the natural world, even as we gradually distance ourselves from it.

There is ample reason to view the universe as a living entity. Our planet exhibits a pulse: tides rise and fall, oceanic life flourishes and fades, new lands emerge, and old ones submerge. Our solar system appears to breathe with cosmic purpose, galaxies spiral, and stars explode to give birth to new ones. To regard the universe as lifeless seems inherently shortsighted.

Thus, everything resonates with a sense of life and purpose. Whether this purpose is harmony, aesthetics, or the exploration of space and time, one thing is clear: there is a force in nature that permeates all matter. Consider a table, for example; it is merely a collection of particles moving at an imperceptible pace. Each atom has its unique story of origin, existence, and decay. This is life.

"You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself." — Alan Watts

What implications does this have for us and our understanding of the universe we inhabit? By examining essence, identity, and comprehension, we may glean more from the idea that everything around us is, in some sense, alive and interconnected.

In terms of essence, it becomes illogical to assert that a table’s essence lies solely in its purpose or structure. Instead, its essence may reside in its molecular makeup, showcasing human ingenuity in manipulating matter creatively. This desire for style and uniqueness in our possessions reflects our resistance to the monotonous uniformity of communism or the dull regularity of homogeneity. Ultimately, the qualities and functions that bind the table’s particles may not fully reveal its true essence; rather, its significance lies in its role within a larger context.

When it comes to identity, the waters become murkier. It is reasonable to assume we are part of this life force, equally influenced by it as we are capable of shaping it. Perhaps the explosive energy of a solar flare can affect our moods, or a comet streaking through the sky can impact our core beliefs. An interconnectedness weaves through everything, including our existence. Thus, while we are swayed by the universe's vastness, we must acknowledge we are not its center.

In understanding how the universe operates, accepting that life flows through everything—from solar systems to snowflakes—implies that meaning and natural design are inherent in all things. The world around us, though not entirely comprehensible, deserves our reverence. At the very least, it challenges our perception of the universe as merely a collection of dead matter, random formations devoid of purpose.

Applying these insights to the Ship of Theseus, we should consider it not just in terms of essence and purpose, but also in relation to its journey, the waters it traverses, the people and objects it carries, and the winds propelling it forward.

Moreover, we can delve deeper into our understanding of the ship by envisioning its potential impact on ourselves and the world—whether it transports plagues or pioneers, leads to genocide or new beginnings. Would we be where we are today without the trees used to build the Santa Maria, Columbus's ship?

Lastly, who can claim that the wood used to construct the ship is more lifeless than the trees that once stood? Those trees, now viewed as non-living by the narrow standards of scientific materialism, embarked on a grand adventure across the seas with a fervent purpose. They live on, forever etched in memory and philosophical discourse.

As I emerged from the woods into the vast snowy valley before me, I came to understand that life flows through every element of the natural world. Everything around me is interconnected by this very rhythm: the trees sway due to the wind, which creates sound because of the valley that cradles it, and the valley itself exists because of the slow erosion of time. Perhaps time, too, would not exist without the subjective experiences of the life that courses through its ages.

Read On: Lost in Thought

Exploring the Ship of Theseus: A Philosophical Inquiry

The first video, "Chonny Jash - The Ship of Theseus," delves into the philosophical implications of this thought experiment, exploring identity and existence.

Understanding Metaphysics Through the Ship of Theseus

The second video, "PHILOSOPHY - Metaphysics: Ship of Theseus [HD]," provides a deep dive into metaphysical concepts tied to the Ship of Theseus, unraveling its significance in understanding reality.