Depends on definition of sound. We assume the _physical_ dimensions of the
sound (amplitude and wavelength) exist. If not, we climb a very bizarre
philosophical tree. But the corresponding _psychological_ dimensions of
loudness and pitch cannot, since there is no listener.
You might also make a distinction between the distal stimulus (the actual
tree) and the proximal stimulus (the "tree" as it impinges the sensory organs
and gets translated into the ensemble of neural impulses that define our
experience of the tree).
Is this close to the answer you gave the student?
> At 10:38 AM 5/12/99 -0400, Michael Sylvester wrote:
> > I am teaching Cognitive Psychology this summer and while discussing
> >Sensory input and perception,a student asked:
> >"if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around,
> >does it still make a sound?"
> >
> >I assume yes because a tape recorder could be left there to monitor
> >the forest activity.
> >
> >Michael Sylvester
> >Daytona Beach,Florida
--
* John W. Kulig, Department of Psychology ************************
* Plymouth State College Plymouth NH 03264 *
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://oz.plymouth.edu/~kulig *
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* "Eat bread and salt and speak the truth" Russian proverb *
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