Chapter 54: Beyond Philosophy

These words struck a chord in the hearts of the audience.

They believed so as well; as long as the heritage and culture continued, Xia Country would always be Xia Country.

Although a [country] is generally seen as an inanimate object, it is somewhat different from [ordinary inanimate objects].

Ordinary inanimate objects have no heritage, but an inanimate object like the noun 'country' truly possesses a [national thought], which is [heritage].

One cannot compare a [country] with the [Ship of Theseus].

"Exactly, ordinary inanimate objects can't compare to a [country]!"

"Following that logic, we living people reside within a country; but living people once lived on the Ship of Theseus as well. Is it not the same?"

"To the person above, does the Ship of Theseus have cultural depth and heritage?"

"This... it seems not. It's just a thought experiment; those things are human-endowed."

"Well, there you go."

"..."

At this moment, on the screen, Jiang Zhe changed the subject:

"Actually, regarding the issue on the level of [Xia Country]..."

"In the future, I will produce an episode on whether Xia Country possesses consciousness, interspersed within the paradox program."

These words immediately piqued the curiosity of a massive number of viewers.

"Wait, wait, 'whether Xia Country has consciousness'? Did I hear that right?"

"Holy crap, are you for real? You can even make a show out of that?"

"Don't rush, let me finish listening to the Ship of Theseus paradox first; save the good stuff for later!"

"..."

As expected, another thought experiment truly attracted a large portion of the audience.

Even the experts in the lecture hall showed intrigued smiles.

They actually found themselves looking forward to Jiang Zhe discussing more content they were unfamiliar with in future programs.

On the podium.

Professor Hua Yunfeng immediately tapped on his keyboard to search for what Jiang Zhe had mentioned.

But unfortunately, he found nothing.

He then looked at Professor Feng and shrugged. "This little fellow is always digging pits, moving on to another before finishing one; yet an old man like me just happens to fall for it!"

Professor Feng chuckled in agreement. "Me too. But seriously—the new example he cited is very apt; he has elevated the Ship of Theseus paradox to a level hard for ordinary people to reach."

"It's like..."

For a moment, Old Feng was at a loss for words.

Professor Hua Yunfeng understood Professor Feng instantly and took over: "It's like, [you want to refute me, but you have no choice but to admit I'm right, because my answer is more widely accepted!]."

"Yes, yes, yes." Professor Feng nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "That's it. Regardless of right or wrong, when an answer is widely recognized, even if it isn't correct, it becomes correct."

Professor Hua Yunfeng laughed heartily. "This is Jiang Zhe's brilliance, and it's exactly why I like and appreciate him."

During their conversation, the two looked down from the podium.

Most of the philosophers were now staring intently at the large screen.

Jiang Zhe's explanation was not far from gaining their belief.

Meanwhile, on the screen, Jiang Zhe began to slow down his pace, speaking eloquently.

"Now, back to the main topic, back to the issue of [Xia Country]."

"When all the people from the early days of the [New Xia Country] have passed away, will our Xia Country no longer be Xia Country?"

"This question is a bit tricky; in reality, it is and it isn't."

"Those who say 'it is' would argue that we live here and our culture continues because we understand our culture."

"Therefore, our Xia Country has always existed, and there is no such thing as a so-called [Ancient Xia Country]."

Hearing this, the experts below the podium nodded repeatedly, in total agreement.

"Exactly, that's right."

"Who told those foreigners to keep saying our culture has long been fractured? If it weren't for our country's growing strength, we wouldn't even have the right to talk about our national culture."

"Jiang Zhe said it well; when a country is strong, even black can be called white."

"..."

Facing the camera, Jiang Zhe continued to explain:

"And most of those who think 'it isn't' would be foreigners. They would say—your country has long ceased to be the original country."

"For example: India."

"Most of them believe our Xia Country perished thousands of years ago, with Ancient Xia disappearing into the torrent of time just like Ancient India; they would further say that our modern Xia Country is different."

"No matter how earnestly we try to explain it to them, they won't listen; this is [definition] at work."

"Our [definition] is different from theirs; thus, they believe all Four Ancient Civilizations have vanished."

"But!"

"To us, no matter how the dynasties of Xia change, as long as its [soul] remains, then no matter what its [form]—the [Territory of Xia Country]—becomes, it is still Xia Country."

These words truly spoke to the very hearts of the experts and the audience.

Even though many foreigners do not acknowledge that there is no such thing as 'Ancient Xia' and that Xia's cultural heritage has been continuous...

...every single Xia person knows that heritage is the very foundation of a nation. As long as the heritage is not severed, Xia Country will exist forever.

No matter how those foreigners argue, the fact is right before them, and they have to admit it!

"So, what are the answers to the core paradox points one and two of the Ship of Theseus?"

"Now, I, Jiang Zhe, will tell you all in a few sentences!"

"A ship is not its wooden planks, but the route it has sailed."

"A human is not their cells, but the consciousness that is thinking."

"A computer is not a precision instrument, but the information it stores."

"Xia Country is not the land, but the heritage of its culture."

"Myths are not deities, but spiritual beliefs!"

"The universe is not space, but the vast unknown!"

Facing the camera, Jiang Zhe's expression was exceptionally serious as he asked:

"Now, please tell me, is the Ship of Theseus still itself after its parts have been replaced?"

"When does it cease to be itself? Tell me through the bullet chats!"

"For what reason does it cease to be itself? Please also tell me through the bullet chats!"

As soon as the question was raised, the backstage director immediately launched a poll and asked the audience to write down their reasons.

This immediately sparked reflection and agreement among the viewers.

"No; because a ship is an inanimate object. After replacing the first plank, it is no longer the Ship of Theseus. To anyone, it only has form, no soul."

"No. Does the essence of an object exist in its materials or its structure? If one believes it's the structure, then it's the same ship; if one believes it's the material, then it is no longer the Ship of Theseus. After listening to Teacher Jiang—I've found that 90% of this paradox is [blurred and unclear]."

"Yes. The core of the Ship of Theseus—I believe it's the captain. If the captain is there, it's the Ship of Theseus; if the captain isn't, it's not!"

"To the person above, since you say that, you've set the meaning for the Ship of Theseus yourself; it's exactly what Teacher Jiang said—different people give different definitions."

"This... holy crap, you're damn right. Yes, I gave this paradox a definition myself so that I could accept my own answer."

"No wonder Jiang Zhe said—different definitions, different answers. In this way, the answer isn't fixed at all."

"..."

Most of the bullet chats chose [No].

Of course, most of these people decided based on the materials.

Only a small number of people thought from a unique perspective and chose [Yes].