Final answer:
Replacing one plank does not make a whole new ship due to continuity in form, function, and identity. The Ship of Theseus thought experiment illustrates this philosophical question about the nature of identity even as its parts change over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why replacing one plank does not result in a whole new ship is a classic philosophical problem known as the Ship of Theseus. This thought experiment questions the nature of identity and change over time.
According to the concept, as parts of the ship are replaced due to wear and tear, it still remains 'the Ship of Theseus,' as the function and design persist, despite the complete change in materials. It's plausible that one plank does not make a whole new ship because the structure, purpose, and continuity of use and ownership remain intact.
This continuity of form and function suggests that the 'essence' of the ship remains, even though its material components have been replaced. The thought experiment encourages us to consider whether an object's identity is tied to its physical components, its form and structure, or perhaps something else entirely like its history or purpose.