If a tree fell in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Answer 1

Friend , we can look at this on a broader spectrum.

Like space, silence is everywhere. It is the sound ( noice?) that is an intrusion on silence. If I say , "be silent" I only mean make no noice and let the silence be.

On this basis. the falling of a tree is breaking the silence of the forest. The falling tree does not make any noice. If someone was around to hear the silence broken he/she will express it. If it was not heard the silence stands.

Answer 2

This question is a variation on Schroedingers cat and has no definitive answer. Within the quantum world it has been proven that the outcome is dependent upon the observation and what you seek to measure.
We cannot record with a tape as this is the same as someone being there to hear it - just remotely, you are still observing the event, just not with your ears.
For a further alternative - when you are alone in a room with a mirror and turn around, how do you know your reflection has? Remember obesrvation collapses an outcomes probability waveform, so without measurement, how do you know?
Basically we can only surmise logically, we cannot be certain of all outcomes. All are correct, the tree both does and does not make sound.

Answer 3

Of course, it does. Just because nobody's around to hear it, falling trees still make terrible noises upon hitting the ground. But then, there should be some people such as lumberjacks; outrageous as it might be, who cut the trees down. Do you realize how many years it took for those trees to grow that big? Such a waste to the forestations.

Answer 4

If a tree fell in the forest and someone is around to hear it but that person is not me, then the forrest, the tree and that person don't even exist? Oh, yeah... no sound.

Answer 5

I think I am going to scream if I have to ans. this question again but here goes. Say we left a tape recorder in the forest and a tree falls and there's no one there to hear it. Later we come back and rewind the tape and listen to it...what do we hear? We hear a tree falling which proves it made a sound.

Answer 6

Yes it does. It's arrogant to assume that the natural laws of the universe are subjective to human perception. Our presence is not required to validate the realities that God created. If our scientific knowledge of physics tells us that vibrations caused by a linear disturbance, such as a falling object, will produce sound waves, then that's will happen every time. I like your broadmindedness, but this classic philosophical question of existentialism is actually quite shallow. Denying an obvious reality is not the same thing as exploring alternate truths. True, asking questions and challenging traditions is the pathway to discovery, but there must be a solid basis to work from; some questions and premises are simply pointless.

Answer 7

This sounds like a very sound question.
The falling tree does make a sound or noise, but since no human was in the area to hear, it was not heard by a human. Therefore how can you say there was no sound and ignore the laws of nature or physics.

Answer 8

Yes, what difference would there be in the sound of a tree falling with no one around, and one which fell with someone to hear it.

I guess, in the end, it comes down to your definition of sound.

Answer 9

I'd say it makes a noise, but not a sound. The word sound suggests that there has to be someone (animal or man with hearing abilities) to perceive the noise created.
You can also supplement this question with one on the butterfly effect. It'll make things more interesting. =)

Answer 10

it may make a sound but the question should be who is listening for it to fall if no one is around? if no one is around no one can say if the tree even fell...