If a tree falls...

[Koman]

...in a forest and noone is around to hear it (or tape recorders) does it make a sound?

[Oblivion]

Yes, it creates sound waves regardless of a human hearing it or not.. Plus there will be some living creature to hear it...

[Commander Thor]

No, since sound is just an interpretation.
The vibrations in the air from the tree falling are still there, there's just no one there to interpret those vibrations as sound.

[Reality]

No, since sound is just an interpretation.
The vibrations in the air from the tree falling are still there, there's just no one there to interpret those vibrations as sound.
The sound is still there, regardless of whether someone's hearing it or not.

Plus, other living creatures would hear it, but I don't think that this is the point.

[Trickster]

I think so, the earth doesnt stop being itself because some isnt there to say" hey u hear that", if that was so then it would create noise void zone, people are just not there to interpet as sound. It falls, its bounces a little and the earth moves on

[Death]

It must make a sound. The sound waves don't just not come out just because no-one is there to percieve them. If you left a tape recorder there but no people were there, would it make sound then? Would the take recording record the sound? Of course it would. You can't say that the very presense of an object capable of capturing sound makes the sound appear; it's completely illogical. In fact, I think that this thread would have been good with a poll.

[Koman]

Well technically it doesnt make a sound, but it does create sound waves but it is impossible to prove it, because noone is there. Oh and fyi, if a tree falls and a human is near by it will be stressed out and make a different sound and the cut of wood will look very different.

[Cloud]

if you take it from a scientific point of view then there is an explanation
the energy it has when falling is suddenly lost as sound energy. if there isnt any sound energy then where does the energy go. so a sound must be made.

[Sage]

This question was a lot more meaningful a few hundred (or thousand) years ago when we didn't scientifically understand sound waves and things of that nature.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

This question was a lot more meaningful a few hundred (or thousand) years ago when we didn't scientifically understand sound waves and things of that nature.

You know, I always thought this was only supposed to be taken as a metaphor for how good people go unappreciated for their good works and aren't noticed even when they "fall". I didn't think anyone seriously considered this question like that!

[Modus Operandi]

You know, I always thought this was only supposed to be taken as a metaphor for how good people go unappreciated for their good works and aren't noticed even when they "fall". I didn't think anyone seriously considered this question like that!

Great idea, ThatCanadianGuy. I never thought of in this way before, but it makes prefect sense. Very good philosophy work.

BTW, a falling tree makes sound waves even no one can hear them.

[Bougainvillea]

Uhh. I'm pretty sure it makes a sound 8 )

[Rutherford The Brave]

Yes, as all matter contains enthalpy. Enthalpy is the total heat content in a sample of matter. Now how exactly does this come into play you say? Well heat is the base in which all energy exists, so when the physical reaction of "Falling" causes the tree to lose enthalpy or kenetic energy. So as the tree hits the forest floor it creates a noise, that which is not heard by anyone. The absence of someone to pick up the noise doesnt mean that the event didnt take place.

[Bougainvillea]

PERFECTLY SAID, NATIVE ROSE!
Kudos :)