How do you prove the existence of shadows?

Question

My philosophy teacher asked me to prove the existence of shadows?
I said that I could see it so therefore it existed, but he said that was not good enough. now i have to find the answer and its killing me. everyone i have asked hasnt been able to help me so can you please?

Answer 1

Light exists.
If light exists, absence of light exists.
Both light and absence of light cannot co-exist without some barrier to separate the two. Light is blocked by this barrier, and the area behind the barrier that cannot see the light is in shadow.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Hehehe. He's working you, isn't he? It'll develop character ☺
Just 'observing' something does *not* make it 'exist' (this simple fact has kept magicians and religions in business since time began ☺)
However..... Things 'exist' because they satisfy mutually accepted definitions. The sky is 'blue' (or 'blau' or 'azul') by mutually accepted definition. But the sound which indicates the definition isn't the thing itself either (whether in English, German, or Spanish).
Now, the mutually accepted definition of a 'shadow' might be something like; "The area of an illuminated surface upon which light from the illuminating source is prevented from reaching due to some intervening, opaque object." **Now**, if everybody can agree upon the definition, shadows exist.

BTW. It works just as well if you assume that an 'illuminating source' doesn't actually emit light, but rather 'sucks up' darkness ☺

And 'Occams Razor' leaves a question: If Occam uses his Razor to shave only those who do not shave themselves, who shaves Occam? ☺

Doug

Answer 3

To prove you have a shadow.-
In the late afternoon,stand with the sun at your back. There should be a shadow in frount of you. Take a picture of it. You can also prove there are shadows of trees, buildings etc by taking pictures.
Crazy assignment form any teacher - Prove there are shadows, Geezzz

Answer 4

You can see them because they are an absence of light. You can feel that absence of light on your skin (it feels cool compared to sunlight) and you can do geometric tests that show the shadow points to the Sun.

You can demonstrate that the laws of optics completely describe everything required for a shadow, and so by Occam's Razor it is the most likely explanation.

Answer 5

Tell him to prove that kids should do mindelss busywork for homework, and when he tells you "blah blah blah" tell em "im sry.. thats not good enough"