A Categorical Theory of Identity: Resolving the Ship of Theseus Paradox Through Practical Ontology

This paper presents a novel categorical approach to resolving the ancient Ship of Theseus paradox that has puzzled philosophers for over two millennia. Unlike existing solutions that struggle with arbitrary thresholds, our framework demonstrates that any modification creates categorical identity change, eliminating the false premise of persistent identity through change. The theory integrates practical categorization systems, scientific validation, and Sankhya philosophical foundations to provide definitive answers across domains from personal identity to species evolution. This comprehensive solution bridges Eastern and Western philosophical traditions while offering practical applications for AI consciousness, medical ethics, and legal responsibility. The work originated from casual philosophical inquiry about post-human species in speculative evolution, demonstrating how interdisciplinary pattern recognition can resolve ancient philosophical problems through fresh perspectives and cross-cultural wisdom integration.