The Contradictions of Life

Throughout the course of life, individuals encounter numerous situations and undergo a variety of experiences that contribute to their personal growth and continuous development over time. From childhood to adolescence to early adulthood—spanning a period of two to three decades—humans engage in a journey of self-discovery during which their perspectives and stances may shift frequently and sometimes dramatically, as if they possess multiple identities rather than a single, fixed one.

This dynamic is both natural and, to a large extent, healthy, as it is within this formative period that an individual’s character is shaped, often laying the foundation for the rest of their life.

The Ship of Theseus paradox is one of the enduring philosophical dilemmas that has sparked a wide range of interpretations and viewpoints. In essence, it is a mythological tale about a hero named Theseus who embarked on a mission to battle the forces of evil at sea.

Although no one expected him to survive, he did, and both he and his ship were immortalized as symbols of triumph. Over time, however, the ship’s wooden planks began to decay. Due to its revered status in legend, efforts were made to preserve it, and thus, every time a plank deteriorated, it was replaced. Eventually, all the original planks had been substituted.

This raises the central philosophical question: is this still the ship of Theseus, or has it become an entirely different vessel?

And if we were to consider that it is no longer the same ship, at what point did this transformation occur? Was it upon the replacement of the very first plank, or only after the final plank had been substituted?

And if we were to apply this paradox to the human being and the evolution of their thinking, we might observe an individual who adopts a certain stance, only to later retract it or even embrace its opposite after some time. In such a case, which of these positions truly represents their authentic stance?

Psychologists have proposed various interpretations of this philosophical thought experiment, and they have approached it from multiple perspectives, often differing in the ways they adopt and analyze its implications.

In my humble opinion, if we consider that every stance a person adopts and maintains for a period of time represents a distinct aspect of their personality, then the totality of these aspects collectively constitutes the person as a whole. But then, what about contradictions?

Life is full of contradictions, and this is entirely natural. An individual must remain honest with themselves in this regard, neither denying nor avoiding the evolution of their perspectives when it becomes clear that a previous viewpoint was mistaken or when the rigidity they once held toward a particular matter has diminished. Life, after all, has a way of constantly surprising us.

The evolution of our personality over time may lead us to adopt a new identity that stands in significant contrast to our former self. However, this new version is, without doubt, one that embodies greater wisdom and deeper understanding.

True wisdom often reaches its fullness when a person attains the age of forty. At that point, individuals tend to become more deliberate in their actions, and their perspective on many aspects of life undergoes a profound transformation. It is then that they begin to recognize and appreciate the divine wisdom bestowed upon them by God—Glorified and Exalted be He.