if a tree fell and no one was there to here it, would it make a noise?

Answer 1

Part of philosophy is clearly saying what you want to say. If you misspell words, then there is confusion about your message.

For the question, "If a tree fell in a forest and there was no one there to hear it, would it make a noise?" I answer yes.

Noise is energy caused when two objects impact one another. Regardless of whether a person observes the noise, the noise still exists.

Answer 2

Yes, it would. What's the difference between a tree falling while someone is in hearing range, and a tree falling while someone isn't? People answer this question talking about sound waves and eardrums, but is that really what this question is asking? Let's make it simpler: If you can't see something, does it mean it's not there? No, of course that's not what it means. Why should something not happen just because we, humans, don't see, hear, touch, smell, taste it? Why should any of the forces of nature be different when a human is or is not around?

Someone answered no, because they said that the tree would only make sound waves. That sound waves only make sound when they enter a person's ears. But what, I ask you, are sound waves? SOUND. Sound waves are sounds because of the vibrations they make. Sound waves are not inaudible things that only deign to make themselves heard upon entering a person's ears. Ears don't do anything particularly special to sounds. All that happens is that we hear them.

This question is basically asking, is it possible for things to happen outside of human perception. And I say yes.For those people who believe the opposite, are you trying to tell me that, long long long long ago when no humans lived on earth, that nothing happened? No birds warbled, no pebbles clattered, no waves slapped at the beach, no trees fell? Or are you trying to tell me that the whole world was on mute? Or that nothing existed at all? Just because we humans weren't there to "make" it happen? Well, I really believe that those things happened.

Ha. I have the feeling that I'm completely misunderstanding this philosophical question. Can someone clarify? Thanks. And I'm not trying to offend anyone. This is just what I first thought =D

Answer 3

Scientifically, no, because to be a sound, there has be something to hear with, and humans use ears to hear things.

But maybe, if you put a tape recorder right next to a falling tree, and moved away so you can't hear it, wait the tree to fall, then come back to hear the tape recorder, I'm pretty sure you can hear the crash.

Answer 4

First we should determine this:
If no one is there to see the tree - does it even exist? Does it make sense to talk of the tree if we are not there to see it?

Answer 5

Yes, try putting a recorder out there and see if you here a tree falling over without anybody else to hear it.

Answer 6

Yes it would, obviously make a noise due to vibrations. It's self centered to think that just because humans aren't there to hear it, it will not make a sound. Things don't make sounds just for humans.

Answer 7

Why would noise need anyone to hear it? And I've heard this silly question since grammar school. I meant no disrespect to you for asking, I just always thought it was a stupid question asked by some long ago and long forgotten philosopher

Answer 8

The great thing about philosophy is that nothing can be proven or disproven. I think that the sound would still be there, as sounds are caused by vibrations. The lack of human presence wouldn't stop vibrations. There is no way of proving this comprehensively though, as the same may be true for recording equipment as for ears.

Answer 9

yes. if u smiled but no one was around to see it, did u still smile? of course.
the laws of science regarding sound, noise, waves, etc. do not change in respect to human presence. it would most definitely make noise :)

Answer 10

The tree doesn't know if anyone is around.