PonderAtlas
All thought experiments
identity

Swampman

Would a perfect duplicate have your meaning and memories?

The setup

Swampman compresses a large philosophical issue into a small imaginative case so the hidden assumptions become visible.

Why it matters

The case remains useful because it separates quick intuition from the principles people use to defend that intuition.

How to discuss it

Start with the simplest version, name the rule you are using, then test whether that rule survives a nearby variation.

Discussion questions

What intuition does this experiment test?

Which assumption makes the case feel difficult?

How would your answer change if the stakes were personal?

Discussion room
Use this private note space to draft a response before sharing it with a class, partner, or group.

What intuition does this experiment test?