...........did it make a sound?
I have earmuffs on as well so I can't hear it.
2007-06-14 04:38:54 · 40 answers · asked by abluebobcat 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Ratu - Ayu - It is actually a very insightful question that has been asked in a different format for many years now.
If a tree falls in a forest but noone is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
I just adapted it to make it a bit more user friendly. Don't be so gloomy!
2007-06-14 04:49:06 · update #1
Diiizy - Thanks, I have decided to lighten up and not take things so seriously.
2007-06-14 23:10:58 · update #2
Well, you'd be the only witness, so you tell us!
2007-06-14 12:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
metaphysically no. A sound is vibrations in the air, being picked up by something living that converts these vibrations into elctrochemical signals indicating some guy has just let one go in the near vicinity (i imagine a smell would accompany it to)
so to answer your question, no. If noone's around, these vibrations are not being picked up & remain mere vibrations. It is only after someone or something 'hears' it, does it take on the metaphysical guise of sound. A sound is something that someone hears. If no one hears it (not including you obviously. I'm guessing your not involved in the equation *earmuffs etc*) then it is not a 'sound'. It is merely vibrations in the air.
This is a very reductionalist idea, but personally I like it, as it stops people consdtantly going over the same points over & over again. If no one hears it, it is not a sound.
2007-06-17 07:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by mexican_seafooduk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stinky boy!! Never thought I would read a question like this from you abluebobcat. Actually made me giggle!
Edit: Thats good, I was worried we might fall out over our difference of opinion. I have missed you because I haven't asked any MCcann questions recently... Don't think I will start now though, unless I decide I am in a very arguementative mood. Happy trumping!!
2007-06-14 22:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by DizzyBiiaatch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
empirical studies of trees falling in forests prove scientifically that they do indeed make a sound
farts whether silent or noisy also make a sound as the air leaves the body cavity.
tadah!
2007-06-14 05:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by . 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to the laws of physics, sound waves are produced, so yes it did make a sound. Whether or not anyone was around to hear it is irrelevant, sound was produced. So, go for it grasshopper.
2007-06-14 09:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe nobody heard it
but i bet you they could smell it
wafting around everywhere!
low db sounds in a fart
usually indicate that a
level 7 guff measurement
[on the sphincter scale]
With a major rumble aftershock stink
is almost certainly to happen soon
2007-06-14 04:57:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take off your earmuffs!! you will not hear your own Fart but also the voice of nature...
2007-06-14 06:07:55 · answer #7 · answered by khalid.qazi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if youre there then someone is there to hear it therefor it makes a sound, because sound is when someone actually hears something.
2007-06-14 04:46:38 · answer #8 · answered by xzfhzdf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have earmuffs on, then no one can hear it.
However, it still makes vibrations qualifying it as a sound. =O
2007-06-14 04:46:26 · answer #9 · answered by Joanne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must be so, because
if a man is in a forest, all alone, with no one around to hear him, and he says something -- he will still be wrong.
2007-06-14 05:55:22 · answer #10 · answered by carl j 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Then you are left with the stinky smell all by yourself to talk about later to the strangers like us in this yahoo answers.
P.S. It's a good idea to put your finger where it belong then to ask others to cover their ears.
2007-06-14 05:54:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋