A tree falls in the forest, but nobodys there to hear it, does it make a sound?

Answer 1

Sound is generally known as vibrational transmission of mechanical energy that propagates through matter as a wave.
This was formed when the tree came into contact with the ground, so yes there is a sound.

Answer 2

I wonder, do you understand the depth of this question? It is asking whether or not truth is subjective (internal) or objective (external).

For instance, if truth is internal (meaning that it is based upon what humans experience), then the answer would be "no." Since there was no human being even there, it would not make a sound because things only exist inside the mind of humans. Nothing is truly real except what a person thinks is real. This means if every person died, then there would be no universe because no person would exist to imagine it.

However, if truth is external (meaning that it is based upon something outside human experience), then the answer would be "yes." Since, reality does exist--since there are atoms and particles that exist independently of the human mind--then the tree would make a sound. Humans do not imagine the universe. It will still exist when every human is dead and gone.

At the heart of this question is another larger topic. If the universe is imaginary (it only exists within the human mind), then obviously God doesn't exist unless of course humanity is God. But, the question is....how do we know that we exist? What point of reference do we have to prove humanity exists?

If the universe is real and does exist outside the human mind, then obviously God does exist. Something outside humanity created or gave birth to the universe and we are just a part of something larger or bigger than ourselves. This means our human existence is tied into a God and reality outside of us? We exist because something else outside of us exists. So, the question becomes: Who is God? If God created me, why did God create me?

There is a third possibility. There is a reality outside of humanity. The universe does exist and isn't part of our imagination. But there is no God. The universe just happened to come about. There is no reason or explanation. However, this philosophy fails because if the universe has no cause, then why does it exist? The universe does exist, and so it must have had a cause.

The answer to the question, however, has to be "yes" because obviously the universe exists (there is a reality as I can't control reality), and you exist (I didn't imagine you or else I could control you), and I exist (I am writing this message). So, there must be something greater than myself that did control the tree causing it to make a sound.

Answer 3

Of course it makes a sound. It hits the ground and sends sound waves through the air, which spread out in all directions until they finally decay.

Answer 4

If nobody hears it, it is completely irrelevant if it makes a sound or not for it does not affect anyone.

It is impossible not to be heard by anyone (birds at least) but I get your point

Answer 5

If someone fancies a go at philosophy and falls into a moth-eaten example, do we all weep out of desperation?

Answer 6

If there is nothing there with the capability of translating sound waves into sound, then no, it does not make a sound, It merely produces sound waves.

Answer 7

Yes, it makes a sound, whether or not someone is there to hear.

Answer 8

Depends how wet the ground is, which universe you are in and whether time travel is possible. See Schrödinger’s cat.

Answer 9

It depends on why the tree fell.

Answer 10

If nobody's there to see it...did it really fall?