If a tree falls in the middle of a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
I'm not sure about it.
Tell me what you think.
2007-11-08 14:55:22 · 28 answers · asked by <33 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Well of course it'll make a sound.
It won;t just fall quietly!
2007-11-08 14:59:00 · answer #1 · answered by -Athenaa- 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Before a wind storm, go into the forest and find a tree that the wind could knock over. Place a tape recorder there which is activated by the falling of the tree. After the storm return and play the sound. You will have the answer.
2007-11-08 15:21:43 · answer #2 · answered by Wayne P 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To be is to be perceived. First we get into the question of how can there be such a time when nothing as aroudn to observe something? If it is a bug or a squirrel, that tree is real to them and therefore, yes it does fall and make a sound.
However, suppose that you take a hypothetical situation and there is nobody around. If you believe in God, then he must be omnipresent and therefore he knows and sees the tree and hears it fall. If not, then of course the tree doesn't make a sound because the tree doesn't exist. How can it exist if there is nothing there to observe it?
Just borrowing from our ole' buddy Mr. Berkley ^_^
2007-11-08 15:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sound is the interpretation of the vibration of the tree falling when it reaches an ear to hear it. People used to think that if no humans were there to hear it, it didn't matter. There are always ears in the forest, just not always human.
2007-11-08 15:11:06 · answer #4 · answered by phil8656 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, what's the definition of "no one"? In the middle of a forest non-human intelligence, other living things in the forest, would certainly be affected by the noise and react to it. Just because it doesn't affect humans doesn't mean it doesn't have a effect.
2007-11-08 15:03:13 · answer #5 · answered by lalalogic 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure it does make a sound...whether or not there are ears to hear. Just like an unspoken love, it's heard and felt despite the absence of words.
2007-11-12 14:11:13 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Sounds are created by the Matrix solely for humans. With no humans around to hear it, the Central Computer saves a few CPU cycles by simply not playing the sound.
2007-11-08 15:07:10 · answer #7 · answered by R[̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅]ution 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
All fallen trees make noise regardless if anyone is in the forest or not.
2007-11-08 15:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by gidget 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it doesn't make a "sound". It makes sound waves which become sound only if and when they are received by the ear and transmitted to the brain. At that point, they are interpreted as sound.
2007-11-08 16:48:24 · answer #9 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have been in the forest and have seen fallen trees,,,,,,,I think it made a sound
2007-11-08 15:04:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The tree's movement makes atoms move; if an ear receives the waves, the hearer's brain decodes this as sound.
You might enjoy "Nineteen Ways of Looking at Wang Wei," Weinberger and Paz, as it relates to forests and light as described by poets. You might enjoy http://www.sheldrake.org http://www.divinecosmos.com http://www.tiller.org http://www.yogananda-srf.org http://www.easwaran.org and http://www.seandavidmorton.com (who is guesting on http://www.coasttocoastam.com radio (click on "Affiliates" button for local stations) tonight (Thursday into Friday a.m.)--worthwhile.
best regards,
j.
2007-11-08 17:32:53 · answer #11 · answered by j153e 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋