if a tree fell and no one was there to hear it, would it make a sound?

Answer 1

Yes.

To think otherwise is to adopt the Logical Positivism position in philosophy, that an observer is necessary for an event to happen, else it does not happen. The (erroneous) assumption is that the evidence of our senses is all we ever have of there being anything out there beyond what we can hear, see, touch, smell or experience.

Logical positivism is perhaps best known for the verifiability criterion of meaning, which asserts that a statement is meaningful if and only if it is empirically verifiable.

The idea of the tree not existing without an observer arose from the philosophy of Bishop Berkeley. George Berkeley (Birth: Mar. 12, 1685. Death: Jan. 14, 1753.) who believed that, as time was merely the succession of ideas in the mind, things might cease to have any existence when not present in consciousness.

Hence his proof of God, as an eternal consciousness bearing everything in mind and therefore enabling continuity of existence. The theory was neatly summed up in two limericks by the theologian and humorist Ronald Knox:

"There was a young man who said: 'God
Must find it exceedingly odd
If it seems that this tree
Simply ceases to be
When no-one's about in the Quad'

"Sir, your astonishment's odd:
I am always about in the Quad.
And that's why the tree
Will continue to be,
Since observed by, Yours Faithfully, God".

(A Quad(-rangle) is a courtyard at an Oxbridge college)

Answer 2

Well, yes, it would make a sound. The tree does not require anybody to hear its falling down since it's a dead matter. It's a natural process. When the tree gets older, and its roots are worn out, the soil around doesn't support it any more, it falls down since it could no more remain standing. By nature, whenever something falls against the solid ground, a thud sound is produced. I wonder, when there is no one to hear, what does the difference it makes, the tree falling with a sound or without. Take the case of thunders. A thunder falls down anywhere not bothering there is someone to hear or not, right?

Answer 3

yes. what a dumb question. everybody knows that when nobody is around, trees sing.

some prefer the alien ant farm's cover of smooth criminal by micheal jackson. Some prefer Tina Turner hits circa 1985-1988.
some just like plain old Tubular bell by mike oldfield, although this has proved a bit of a quandry in the arborial world as it is infact mainly instrumental ( just thought id point that out to the pedants amongst us)

It has been scientifically proven that a falling tree wothout an earshot audience will invariably sing David Baddiels lyrics from the song "three lions" - Trees don't like Frank Skinner.

As for all the philisophical stuff, does any one really care?

Answer 4

sound is defined by vibrations travelling through a medium and must be picked up by a reciever, ie. an ear or a recording device. now it will make a noise but not sound.

Sound is perceived through the sense of hearing. Humans and many animals use their ears to hear sound, but loud sounds and low frequency sounds can be perceived by other parts of the body through the sense of touch.

Hence, a reciever is needed

Answer 5

set up a tape recorder, then listen to the sounds on it after the tree has fallen. if the sound of a falling tree is on the tape, then one could conclude that, yes, it does make a sound even if no one is present.

Answer 6

It would make a sound, the wildlife near the tree would definitely hear it.

Answer 7

YOU HAVE ALL GOT IT WRONG

| believe this question was asked by a philosopher who used it to ask that if he died would anyone notice his passing if he had not made any great contribution to mankind.. strangely all he is remembered for is his tree question so yes in one way he did however no one can remember who he was so in a way no.... sad eh??

Answer 8

Sound will be sound whether there are ears to hear or not, just like light being there even if we had no eyes to see. Sound and Light is GOD

Answer 9

Oh dear, do we think no one has ever asked this before? Of course it would, sound is made by vibrations, the ears just pick them up, if there are no ears, the vibrations still happen. Duh. It is a philosophical question designed to promote a certain type of thinking, not a genuine one.

Answer 10

Just because your not physically there doesn't mean it won't make a sound! unless its a rubber tree and it might bounce straight back up! hahaha!