Quote Originally Posted by ChrisL View Post
Perhaps this is too literal, but "hearing" is an auditory response to sound waves. I would say the falling of the tree creates sound waves irregardless of anyone or anything such as an animal, insect or even a tape recorder being around to "hear" them. "Hearing" is a perception of frequencies. If no one or nothing is around to perceive the sound waves, the sound waves still exist.

If a rocket still visible but leaving the earth's atmosphere explodes, it's a silent display to those watching it since it's beyond their auditory perception. Was it heard? No. Did it create sound waves? Yes.

I'm still stuck on the sound of one hand clapping, myself.

Chris L
This is my understanding as well. A bit like the experience of "sweet" (or "salty"). Is sugar sweet without anyone tasting it? Or is "sweetness" the phenomenon that happens when certain chemicals present in sugar come into contact with our taste buds, which then transmit a neurologic signal that culminates with the experience of "sweetness" as perceived by our brain (or something like this)? Just as no one would argue that there is an independent characteristic of "sharpness" that exists within a pin, "sweetness" does exist within sugar. And when tree falls, there is no "sound" unless there's a receiver there to hear. So I agree with Chris...who may not truly exist since I've never seen him....