reply to post by confreak
As far as the ship, itself, is concerned, I would say...
If every piece has been replaced by the time it returned from the voyage, then the voyage must have been extensive to do that much damage. Each part
would not have deteriorated at the same rate as the rest of the parts Although, more than one part at a time may have needed to be replaced. However,
some parts would have required regular checks and maintenance, and may have been replaced more than just once
This means that parts were replaced at different intervals along the entire ship's voyage. As each part or series of parts were replaced at different
intervals along the voyage, they would inherently become part of the ship. Even though it is a new part, it does take it's place amongst the other
newer or original parts. As such, the part/parts would began to age with time, and would no longer be truly new...but just newer than the original
part/parts. As this was happening, other parts were being replaced by new parts, and the cycle continues. By the time the voyage was actually over,
there may be a few new parts (as in a few days old), plus all of the other parts that where replaced at different intervals, and not collectively
new...They All Aged with the Ship!
Therefore, it was not entirely the same ship as when it left because it has a virtually 'new body' in comparison with the old. However, it is the same
ship as each part simply became a new part of the Ship. With age, it would have settled into it's position as if it belonged there. But I must point
out the most important thing...
The Captain remained the Same!
Therefore, philosophically, as long as the 'Captain' (My brain) was still in charge along the entire voyage (Life), then replacing deteriorating
and/or malfunctioning parts (cloned replacement organs, stem cell regeneration, etc), then the Ship (Body) would eventually have All New Parts.
However, they would have been utilized at various points along the Voyage, and therefore, wouldn't have All been entirely new any longer by the end.
...And as long as the 'Captain' remains, then it is the same ship.
For who better knows their own ship if Not the 'Captain'? I'm sure Captain Kirk would agree...
edit on 9-7-2011 by BrandrTorny because:
(no reason given)