Is this my grandfather's axe?

Question

This is my grandfather's axe, my father replaced the handle and I replaced the blade. Is it still my grandfather axe ?

Answer 1

The Axe in your question is a symbol. If it was any old Axe then no, the Axe has physically changed. But, since symbolically it is your grandfather's Axe, then yes, it is still his Axe. The reason being symbols are given meaning to become relevant. This once new axe became your grandfathers axe through emotional labels.

Ask yourself this one. I was born John Doe. The cells and organs in your body die off and become entirely new cells every 7-10 years. In essence, I become an entirely new person every decade. At age 80, am I still John Doe? Am I still that tiny infant? Some would argue no, but following my line of prior reason, we are ourselves for our entire life, because of emotional memory.

Answer 2

Grandfathers Axe

Answer 3

The subject of ownership has been misunderstood for many years, and this is one example.

Ownership is based not on physical form but on the concept of such. What that means is that your grandfather does not own the wood in the handel or the metal in the blade but rather owns the concept of the axe as a whole. To replace either the handle or the blade or both does not change the fact that your granfather still owns the concept of the axe even though it is a new axe as far as the materials go.

So in short yes he does. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Not really, because like you said your father replaced the handle, and you replaced the blade. So the replacement, now belongs to you due to the repairs. The axe is brand new, and there is a small chance he will recognize his axe.

Answer 5

Your axe would not have existed as it is without once having been your grandfather's axe. In other words, it could not exist today without once having been your grandfather's axe. So, while its materials are different, its existence and 'essence' are of your grandfather. So, I would conclude that it is your grandfather's axe.

Great question!

Answer 6

If the original has been replaced then what you have now in your possession has no connection whatsoever to your Grandfather. It is your memory of him that stirs sentiment, not the axe.

Answer 7

If all parts have been replaced then no, it can no longer be your grandfather's ax...

Answer 8

You just said it is your grandfather's ax so yes.

Answer 9

This is the famous Ship of Theseus question that goes back at least to the ancient Greek philosophers. Wikipedia has a long discussion of it.

Answer 10

no, its a completely diffirent axe. because no part of it was ever your grandfathers. but it is what you make it