2006-11-20 13:43:41 · 22 answers · asked by cokie monster 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I know there are some who would say that it didn't make a sound because nothing happens unless it is perceived. And the thought experiment of Schroedinger's cat (Oh why, oh why, couldn't have used a rat or a spider) may put some meat on that argument.
I however, have a semantic quibble. Would a tree falling in the forest with no perceivers create vibrations that if an animal or human were around to hear, would create a sound? Of course.
But Sound is essentially our perception of those vibrations as perceived through the ear canal and transferred through the brain.
So while the physical cause of sound would have been created, the necessary equipment (ears and brains) to create "sound" as we know it would not be.
2006-11-20 13:53:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In terms of science and theory of sort, only acceptable data are empirically collected and repeatability of result of an experiment. No matter how intuitively a data may be correct and supported, if the data lack above conditions, the data would not be accepted. So in terms of limited view of science: there is no sound.
On the other hand, the question you posed is not a scientific question, but a mere thought exercise question. The answer is obvious that sound exist, that all condition for "making a sound" exist. Therefore the you have asked a redundant and unnecessary question.
2006-11-20 22:13:48 · answer #2 · answered by bahbo1234 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, let's start with another question: If a bear craps in the woods and there's no one around to smell it, does it still stink? Given: Under ALL circumstances, bear crap stinks. Therefore, using the "bear proof" as a corollary to the "tree question", we can say that Yes, the tree makes a sound.
2006-11-20 21:58:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, the classic question. Why of course it does. That is like if an alarm goes off, and only one person out of two hear it, it still makes a sound. a noise is made wether or not if anyone is there to hear it.
2006-11-20 22:17:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a fat girl falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, do the trees still laugh?
2006-11-20 22:16:25 · answer #5 · answered by daniel g 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe this question was answered some time ago. The answer is NO. Sound is what the brain makes of the vibrations it perceives. Is a pure human interpretation.
2006-11-20 22:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by Simon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I would certainly hope so. Just think how a tree would feel if it fell and didn't make a noise?
2006-11-20 21:49:10 · answer #7 · answered by Sunshine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone who has answered this question has pictured a tree falling in their mind.
Has a tree really fallen?
Some in silence. Some in sound.
2006-11-21 06:16:41 · answer #8 · answered by eyethoughtzo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it makes a sound!!! It makes the same sound it would if you were there to hear it. Why wouldn't it? It's a very safe assumption.
2006-11-20 21:47:19 · answer #9 · answered by william g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to this question is yes, if humans did exist, the word "sound" was defined, someone knew about it and used to word sound to describe it.
No otherwise, because the word "sound" has no meaning by itself.
2006-11-20 21:56:05 · answer #10 · answered by ancient112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋