对忒修斯之船难题“最佳候选者理论”的辩护——从《量理宝藏论》的观点分析

Defending the Best Candidate Theories for the Ship of Theseus Puzzle:From the Views of Tshad ma rigs pa'i gter

作为忒修斯之船难题解决方案的“最佳候选者理论”表明:个体物的同一性判断依赖于人们的选择,而非依赖于对象本身。该理论主要在个体物的本体论存在、历史起源及历史发展进程三方面被质疑。在东方哲学领域,藏传因明典籍《量理宝藏论》与“最佳候选者理论”的主张存在相通之处。借鉴《量理宝藏论》对“最佳候选者理论”辩护和修正,可得如下结果:不存在忒修斯之船的本体同一;不存在本体同一性标准;同一性判断取决于人们的共识。

The Best Candidate Theories for the ship of Theseus puzzle indicate that the judgment of individuals identity depends on people s choice rather than objects. The theories are challenged mainly from three perspectives, i.e. ontological existence, historical origin and historical development process of individuals. In the field of oriental philosophy, Tshad ma rigs pa i gter (《量理宝藏论》), one of the Tibetan Hetuvidya(因明) epistemological scriptures has similar viewpoints with the Best Candidate Theories. Based on the interpretations of Tshad ma rigs pa i gter, this paper attempts to revise and defend the Best Candidate Theories, and draws the following conclusions. There is no ontological identity of the ship of Theseus;there is no standard of ontological identity;the judgment of identity depends on people s consensus.