If...

[Alex]

...a tree falls over in a forest, yet no one is there to hear it crash to the ground, does it actually make a sound?

An oldie, but a classic.

Discuss!

[starlightCRUSH*]

The tree makes a sound.
Also a tree cannot make a sound if it doesn't fall.

It's all a matter of who's there when anything happens.

It's like saying, if a women is getting robbed in the alley
and theres no one there to help her, does she still get robbed?
yes of course she does.

She get's robbed, but the only other person who knows is her.
If she says something about it, then it's true that she got robbed.

The tree cannot speak, and no ones around so the tree made a sound
if it could tell you it would, though if you see a tree that's fallen over
you don't have to think that hard about the tree.

This tree made a sound.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by starlightCRUSH*

The tree makes a sound.
Also a tree cannot make a sound if it doesn't fall.

It's all a matter of who's there when anything happens.

It's like saying, if a women is getting robbed in the alley
and theres no one there to help her, does she still get robbed?
yes of course she does.

She get's robbed, but the only other person who knows is her.
If she says something about it, then it's true that she got robbed.

The tree cannot speak, and no ones around so the tree made a sound
if it could tell you it would, though if you see a tree that's fallen over
you don't have to think that hard about the tree.

This tree made a sound.

I think you're right that it does make a sound, though I do not believe your rationale is particularly helpful.

It is nothing like your old woman analogy; the point to my question is whether 'sound' and 'hearing' - senses - are indeed a socially constucted concept dependant on the existance of someone who is there to 'hear', or whether a sound doesn't exist if it's not heard by someone else... those are the two variables... frankly I find your speaking of trees speaking ridiculous! How is a tree speaking relevant?

[starlightCRUSH*]

Originally Posted by Alex

I think you're right that it does make a sound, though I do not believe your rationale is particularly helpful.

It is nothing like your old woman analogy; the point to my question is whether 'sound' and 'hearing' - senses - are indeed a socially constucted concept dependant on the existance of someone who is there to 'hear', or whether a sound doesn't exist if it's not heard by someone else... those are the two variables... frankly I find your speaking of trees speaking ridiculous! How is a tree speaking relevant?

The 'old women analogy' was just stupid common sense.
So 'sound and 'hearing' senses a socially created concept, dependant on the existance of
someone who is there to 'hear'?

The tree is more stupid common sense.


Now you want a full blown explanation? ok fine.

One man. Senses intact.

One Women. Senses intact.

The man talks to the women
The Women heres the man

Socially dependant?
Yet more stupid common sense.

The senses do what they were intended for.

Heard by someone else?
HAHAHAHA. What do you think?


How about this, one human in existance
only animals around.

What would become of that?

You just answered your stupid questions, with more stupid common sense.

Tree's can talk by the way, swaying branches.. the click and clack.
(Nature has many ways of speaking!.. then again that's not relevant..).


I'll just agree. You are right, i agree i'm wrong, i know nothing.
You are so good at Philosophy.


Spare me the magnitude of your response.

I'll make a better thread myself.
One that explains itself, just for you.



Btw if i'm rude, excuse that.

[Morgana]

Now now...

[Kain Highwind]

I'd have to say that it does make a sound.

[Auron]

Id have to say it would make a sound to.

[Kain Highwind]

But then again, I suppose it depends on whether a sound is classified as either "A collection of waves" or "The knock on effect caused through the collision of sound waves upon the ear drum"

In which case it might be safe to say that it stems either way. I think the first definition however.

[Son of Sephiroth]

makes a noise.