2007-04-01 10:10:33 · 15 answers · asked by STACEY E 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
It depends on how one defines "sound." In order for sound to exist, is human perception required?
2007-04-01 10:18:58 · answer #1 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
This is more easily understandable if one considers the actual scale of the components of an atom. If one takes into account the fact that the neutrons, protons and electrons of an atom actually have huge spaces between them it becomes clear that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are made up of 99+ percent empty space.
This alone does not seem too important till you add the idea that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are more of a loose conglomeration that share a similar attraction but never really touch each other.
At first glance this does not really seem relevant, but closer analysis reveals that this adds a tremendous amount of empty space to solid objects that are already made up of atoms that are 99 percent space. When so-called solid objects are seen in this light it becomes apparent that they can in no way be the seemingly solid objects they appear to be.
We ourselves are not exceptions to this phenomenon.
These seemingly solid objects are more like ghostly images that we interpret as solid objects based on our perceptual conclusions.
From this we must conclude that Perception is some sort of a trick that helps us to take these ghostly images and turn them into a world we can associate and interact with. This clever device seems to be a creation of our intellect that enables us to interact with each other in what appears to be a three dimensional reality.
I hope that helps to answered your question.
Love and blessings Don
2007-04-01 10:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem with this question is that the definition of "sound" involves an ear picking up vibrations transmitted through the air or another medium.
If no ear picks up the vibrations, can the vibrations the tree makes as it falls be classified as sound?
I'm voting- no.
2007-04-01 10:29:00 · answer #3 · answered by modern swinger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it still would. Humans tend to live under the assumption that even though a human ear is not around to detect it the sound would not occur. This is an impossibility since things tend to continue regardless if there is any one person around to witness it.
2007-04-02 12:03:45 · answer #4 · answered by billyboob222 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course. I know your thinking "but how do you know if your not there?" Laws of the universe and the world still apply to the tree and the forest even if we're not there to experience it.
2007-04-01 10:17:00 · answer #5 · answered by K.S. THiS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would make a sound, but it would be pretty pointless seeing as how it wouldn't really matter for it to fall if no one could hear it.
2007-04-01 10:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by Daisy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no bcaus da falling tree will only produce soundwaves. those waves enter an ear and viblate your ear drum if there wuz a human around. da drum vibrates other small bones and they send a messade 2 your brain saying ether its a new sound or dat its another sound.
2007-04-01 12:36:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there needs to be an "Observer" that has the mechanisms (ear drum, bone, etc.) for turning vibration into sound; the mental model of vibration.
2007-04-01 10:56:37 · answer #8 · answered by neuralzen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it still does make a sound because almost everything makes a sound.
2007-04-01 10:21:10 · answer #9 · answered by mel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course just because there is no one there to hear it does not mean it will be silent of course it will make a sound it is not like ohh no one is here i will be as quiet as a mouse so i would say yes
2007-04-01 10:17:17 · answer #10 · answered by princess ty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋