Koan!
2006-10-05 07:56:51 · 26 answers · asked by sotu 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
How can I solve this puzzle? I cannot find the answer within the boundary of my knowledge, how can I describe the indescribable? I honestly say " I do not know ".
2006-10-05 13:43:45 · answer #1 · answered by ol's one 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to Goatfondel's theories the possibility is that it may or may not be a hand that is either clapping or is not.
Only when there is somebody in the forest to hear it does the possibility collapse, unless a tree is falling and then nobody can hear whether a hand (or not) is clapping (or not). So the usual sound of one hand clapping (or not) is loads of Philosophy students scratching their heads and saying "Whaaaaaat?".
Hope this clears it up.
2006-10-05 17:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by prakdrive 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on what thing it hits first.
Or you can say you need two hands to clap, but that would be too narrow a definition of clapping, wouldn't it?
But sorry, I'm not a zen person.
2006-10-05 22:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by todaywiserthanyesterday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold your hand up, now fold the fingers of that hand into the palm, as if you are clenching a fist without including the thumb, allowing the finger tips to touch the bottom of the palm.
Now open your hand again, fold it quickly and repeatedly, and there you have it: the sound of one hand clapping.
2006-10-05 16:17:50 · answer #4 · answered by karlrogers2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silence if you follow the zen path, a slight tapping sound if you quickly fold your fingers against the palm of your hand.
2006-10-05 15:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Half the sound of two hands clapping.
2006-10-05 16:00:59 · answer #6 · answered by frostbitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your right palm and move it towards someone elses open palm at speed until you make contact - That's the sound of 'one hand clapping'.
2006-10-05 15:31:10 · answer #7 · answered by David 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think it might be a metaphor inferring that some things cannot work alone. That is, two hands are needed to make a clap.
I could be entirely wrong.
2006-10-05 15:20:50 · answer #8 · answered by lovelylexie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son can clap one hand. It sounds somewhat similar to two hands, but not as much percussion.
2006-10-05 15:04:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The sound of one hand clapping is silence. Ever hear of "The Sound of Silence"?
2006-10-05 15:09:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋