"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it,
does it make a sound?"
I'm sorry I just cant help it. Yesterday I was reminded of this question that is either deep, or shallow, depending on how much you think about it. Perhaps I have spent too many miles behind the wheel of my car since then, but I just can't get this out of my mind !!!
YES, on the surface logic tells me of course it makes a sound. Then as I consider it more, sound is defined as the conversion of energy waves into brain signals by the ear, human or animal so NO. If there is no ear to hear, then there is no sound. But that is daft I know that a tree cant fall silently..........
This is of course a question aimed at Philosophy not Physic's but it can mess with your mind if you let it! A quick Google search for the question and you will see philosophers and other academics discussing it throughout the internet. The more you dwell the more you bring in other deep philosophical questions ...
When you close the fridge, does the light really go out ?
Does killing time damage Eternity?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard ?
Why is the third hand on a watch called the second hand ?
Can you imagine a world without hypothetical situations ?
Why is abbreviation such a long word?
Why is there only one monopolies commission?
So in conclusion I have left you with so many questions, perhaps you to may spend the next 24 hours pondering the unimportant, just like I have just done ? But to show there are answers to some questions, I leave you with a twist on the opening one. I have worked out the answer to this ...
If a man talks in the forest and his wife is not there to hear him,
is he still wrong?
Ps I took this picture last night while ona walk with Mrs RJR, and neither of us was wrong !
