if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around does it make a sound

[KYnetiK]

The Webster dictionary defines sound as :

The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact

Hence, if there is noone around to hear the tree fall, it does not produce a sound, merely vibrations in the air, as a mind capable of perceiving and witnessing the vibration is required to produce' sound'.


Source :
http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/sound

[STM1993]

If a tree were to fall, it would crash into an object, be it the ground or another tree. A vibration would be produced. When there is vibration, there is sound, whether it is audible or not. If nobody is there, sound is still produced, but no one would hear it.

[MyiEye]

The Webster dictionary defines sound as :

The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact

Hence, if there is noone around to hear the tree fall, it does not produce a sound, merely vibrations in the air, as a mind capable of perceiving and witnessing the vibration is required to produce' sound'.


Source :
http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/sound

Unfortunately for that theory, humans are not the only possible effectors, we forget that there are millions of other beings all over the place that can also hear. But for your sake, should there be absolutely nothing there to hear it, then I agree that there is no sound, for the reason that such a thing must be heard or at least affect something in order to be labeled as sound.

[KYnetiK]

Nowhere did the proverb, I or Webster say anything about having to be human.

I merely point out that a mind capable of perceiving audio is a prerequisite to producing the definition of 'sound'. That mind could be anything, so long as it fit the bill.

And STM, the whole point of this old proverb is about the relativity of perception. According to the definition of sound, you need a perceiver. Without a perceiver, only vibrations are created. Sound is a phenomena, a sensation. Sound is not the vibration, but the effect of the vibration on an organism.

We humans have a bad habit of calling things the wrong word when there is no need for semantics in everyday conversation, and then rewriting that definition as it suits us.

[Farah]

but getting pissy over semantics when a principle is clearly explained in everyday conversation is just a moot point. sure when discussing a proverb like this it is relevant but seriously.

i may be missing what you're saying though

[demoniac93]

Same here as Farah, it might actually be relevant whether it is or not isn't 100% clear, but I'm missing your main point :/

[Xxypher]

If I punched you in the face, but you could not feel it because you were in a coma, did I really punch you?

[demoniac93]

Did it leave a mark? Cause then I'd see it when i wake up, you would've definitely punched me in my perspective, and I'd punch you back, harder.

[shantec]

If the sun explodes and no one is around, does it make a sound?

[demoniac93]

If the sun explodes and no one is around, does it make a sound?

1st of all let's not start off topic-ing...
2nd, hope it never doesn't, so you know how the babe you're gonna date looks before the actual date happens.

[UnknownSniper]

If the sun explodes and no one is around, does it make a sound?

1st of all let's not start off topic-ing...
2nd, hope it never doesn't, so you know how the babe you're gonna date looks before the actual date happens.

You say "let's not start off topic-ing..." and you still answer his question, which pushes it into the off topic zone. >.>

[demoniac93]

Well i was trying to make a gesture while remaining an enemy to deadly seriousness....And at that i stop the argument.
As to the riddle itself i only see slow activity on the conversation now...Dying thread?

[Dusty]

If the sun explodes and no one is around, does it make a sound?

You couldn't hear it even if you were close to the Sun, there's no sound in space!

[demoniac93]

True, scientists have still not come across the solution as to why space, in other words "nothingness" is black, the whole black emptiness going throughout the universe is called space, it's nothing, sound (the vibrations produced and picked up by the ear) needs a material of medium to travel, like air, and cannot travel without that medium, meaning you won't hear it no matter how close you were to it.