When a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it does it make a noise?

Question

What I'm really trying to find out here is actually something I realized is that the real reason why this question has gone on answered for so long is that the question itself is poorly defined. Noise can mean many things. It can mean what someone hears or or can mean the vibration itself created when the tree hits the ground. So we really don't know what the questioner is trying to find out when they ask this quetsion. The solution to this unsolved problem- therefore is to simply admit that you don't understand the question and ask the questioner to define what they mean by noise. After you find out what they mean by noise you now have enough information to answer the question.

What I'm trying to find out is- is the real reason why this problem has gone unsolved for so long out of lack of understanding of how to solve this problem, or because people are too proud to admit they don't understand the question?

What I'm really trying to find out here is actually something I realized is that the real reason why this question has gone on answered for so long is that the question itself is poorly defined. Noise can mean many things. It can mean what someone hears or or can mean the vibration itself created when the tree hits the ground. So we really don't know what the questioner is trying to find out when they ask this question. The solution to this unsolved problem- therefore is to simply admit that you don't understand the question and ask the questioner to define what they mean by noise. After you find out what they mean by noise you now have enough information to answer the question.

What I'm trying to find out is- is the real reason why this problem has gone unsolved for so long out of lack of understanding of how to solve this problem, or because people are too proud to admit they don't understand the question?

This query is about nature of humanity. People keep answering the question without understanding what the question is. So if you say yes the tree makes a noise- the response is- it can't because there is no one to hear it.

If you say no- because there is no one to hear it- the response is- yes it does because the tree made a noise when it hit the ground.

When you know something the other person doesn't- that gives you power over them. So this philosophical question is a power play. No matter what the person says be it yes or no- due to the question being so poorly defined - that leaves you free to tell them they're wrong and in doing so - lord over that person.

The other way to look at this is that the term "noise" is poorly defined and has several meanings, so perhaps the real reason why this question has created such a condundrum is out of a lack of understanding of what is really being asked and is a commment on the vagueness of conversation. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

No, not really. Just because you're not around to hear something doesn't automatically mean that it doesn't make sound/noise. It's the same as other things. If you leave your radio on and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise. Of course it does. Noise happens regardless of someone hearing it. The fact that the vibrations occur is the sound or noise.

Answer 2

Don H and others confuse sound and listening to. Sound is conveniently the vibration. Hearing the processing of that sound by way of a realization competent of notion. We feel that sound exists even if we are not there to listen to it considering the fact that we develope item permanence among the a long time of nine and year ancient. After that, we fully grasp that matters we understand additionally occur while we aren't round. Scientific outcome would not be intelligent if trusted human perceivers in a few form of unnatural method. Many suppose quantum mechanics is determined by a perceiver. It does no longer. It is determined by interplay with difficult approaches, whether or not the ones approaches are human brains or no longer.

Answer 3

I don't really think that is a question scientists are arguing over I am pretty sure the answer is yes, noise is made, the real point to the question is more philosophical, and has to do with human perception of events, but that is a long topic which I will not go into, but I will leave you with this...what is the sound of one hand clapping?

Answer 4

That question is a statement for analagies, like "you can't see the forest for the trees". OK

I'm sure physically and trully if a tree falls the birds and squirrels and all living things hear it, feel it and so on.

Tom Cochrane wrote the song about it, as a protest against the onslaught of cutting occuring in the world's rain forests.

Answer 5

To the squirrel that was in the tree it could be the last noise he ever hears. He doesn't really care if there was a human to hear it.

Answer 6

The answer is yes it does make a noise, just that there wasn't anyone around to hear it.

Answer 7

It still makes noise... U just can't hear it because sound waves only travel so far......
But it still makes a sound.
That is like asking what color a watermelon is before you cut it open. It's black because of the absence of all light, but it still is red, the light has to be present for the color to be seen.
♥
You are a smart cookie..... email me or something... lol! It is hard to find intelligent people on here......
=) Thanks for that.
[e-mail]

Answer 8

Yes, it makes a noise. The other trees hear it....say stuff like damn Larry's gone...what happened?..health issue like rot...or something more criminal......like loggers, wood cutters. And he left behind so any young sprouts.

Answer 9

The noise doesnt silence itself just becuase no one is there to hear it.

Answer 10

Right I don't understand, give more details on what you mean. But it sounds like you are saying its like nobody is there to you. But if I'm wrong plase give me detail.