The wisdom paradox: Ship of Theseus and the art of reflection
February 5, 2025
The participants of SPJIMR’s Centre for Wisdom in Leadership (CWIL) ADMAP committee screened the 2012 film Ship of Theseus as part of the second edition of Movie Night 2.0. This initiative goes beyond a simple film screening; it creates an immersive experience to spark introspection and philosophical inquiry. Movie Night serves as a platform for students to engage in reflective practices that cultivate wisdom, ethical discernment, and emotional maturity—key components of effective leadership.
By curating thought-provoking films, CWIL encourages deep reflection on complex moral dilemmas and philosophical questions, reinforcing its role as a center for wisdom-driven learning. The shared viewing experience allows for diverse perspectives, fostering engaging discussions that challenge conventional thinking. Through this initiative, CWIL integrates wisdom traditions and ethical frameworks into everyday decision-making, empowering participants to approach personal and professional challenges with increased awareness and value-driven leadership.
Exploring identity, ethics, and the many facets of wisdom
Ship of Theseus raises profound questions about identity, morality, and human nature. Each storyline in the film presents a dilemma that challenges both the characters and the audience to reconsider their ethical perspectives:
- The blind photographer struggles with the nature of perception and whether technical skill alone can define artistic vision.
- The ailing monk faces the intersection of principle and practicality, highlighting the tension between personal ethics and survival.
- The stockbroker’s journey unveils the exploitation of the underprivileged and the complex moral fabric of justice.
The film encapsulates multiple dimensions of wisdom, prompting students to reflect deeply on themes of identity, morality, and transformation. Ship of Theseus inspired the following types of wisdom:
- Reflective wisdom: Encouraging students to question rigid ideas of selfhood and identity by challenging their perceptions of change.
- Ethical wisdom: Navigating moral complexities beyond simplistic right and wrong, urging audiences to explore nuanced ethical challenges.
- Spiritual wisdom: Exploring suffering, acceptance, and purpose, reinforcing that wisdom transcends material existence.
- Emotional wisdom: Highlighting resilience and adaptability in the face of difficult decisions.
- Collective wisdom: Through post-screening discussions, diverse perspectives enriched interpretations of the film’s core themes.
The paradox and students’ reflections
The paradox of Theseus’ ship—whether an object retains its identity after all its parts are replaced—mirrors our personal evolution. Are we simply the sum of our changing experiences, or is there a constant core that defines who we are?
Students’ reflections reinforced these insights:
- One student noted that the blind photographer’s best work occurred before regaining her sight, illustrating the paradox of abundance—more choices don’t always lead to better outcomes.
- Another remarked on the monk’s shift from ideological rigidity to pragmatic survival, highlighting the delicate balance between idealism and realism.
- A third perspective explored the ethical disparity in the transplant trafficking storyline, where what seems morally justifiable to one person may be irrelevant or immoral to another.
Beyond individual reflections, the communal viewing experience itself proved transformative. As one attendee shared, the discussion that followed the film deepened their understanding of its themes in ways that solitary viewing could not. This collective reflection echoes CWIL’s commitment to dialogue and shared wisdom as a catalyst for deeper learning.
More to come
Movie Night 2.0 was more than just an event—it explored philosophy, ethics, and the evolving self. By bringing students together to reflect on profound existential questions, the CWIL committee successfully created a space for wisdom-oriented discourse. As we navigate the complexities of leadership and decision-making, such engagements provide crucial opportunities to develop a more thoughtful and nuanced perspective on life and its ever-changing nature.
CWIL plans to organise more Movie Nights to continue fostering deep reflection, ethical inquiry, and wisdom-driven discussions within the SPJIMR community.