Bridge of Theseus

Cedar Ford bridge, Monroe Co, IN
8/29/2020 dwm photo

  I didn't expect to learn philosophy watching the Season Finale of WandaVision, but I did.  WandaVision is short-season series that continues the story of the Marvel Comic Universe on Disney+.

  No spoiler alert needed, just a quick explanation.  Two characters in the show had a difference over their identities and compared it to the ancient ship.  The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment that traces back to ancient Greece.

  The ship was preserved as a relic and placed on display after replacing some boards.  As time passed more planks rotted and had to be replaced until there were no original pieces left.

Simply put, if an object like a covered bridge has all its component parts replaced is it the same bridge?

The Cedar Ford bridge in Monroe County Indiana is a fine example.  It was built in 1885 in Shelby County.  It was eventually replaced by a modern bridge and stored at the county fairgrounds where it sat for decades until a bridge enthusiast spearheaded an effort to purchase the remains of the old bridge and rebuild it near Bloomington.

The new bridge has 10% of the old one.  Over time those pieces of lumber will rot and be replaced with new pieces of wood.  When that happens is it still the original bridge?

Thirty years ago at the Wisconsin State Fair I watched the Ink Spots perform, a group that came to fame in the 1930s and 40s.  When I saw the quartet only one of the original performer was on stage, is it really the Ink Spots at that point?  If so, what happens when the last original singer put down the microphone?

Over the years I decided the re-built bridges (those with a percentage of the original) and the recreated ones are worthy of attention.  While Cedar Ford can't compare to a fully functioning vintage bridge in its original location, it stands as a symbol and living history, which to me is important no matter what it's percentage of purity.