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by David Cart Solipsistic Speculation Regarding Falling Trees If a tree falls in the forest, and there is nobody there to hear it, does it make a sound? If a tree falls in the forest, and I was not there to hear it, did the tree actually fall? If a tree falls in the forest, and I was the only one there to hear it, did I make it fall? Did I create the tree in order to make it fall? Or did the tree really exist, and I was only the instrument that made it fall? On the other hand, maybe the tree just fell, and I thought it was me that made it happen. Or maybe the tree wanted to fall, and it had nothing to do with me. Maybe I just happened to be there to hear it. Which brings up the question: Do trees fall because they want to? Maybe they just get tired of standing and decide to fall. Ever think of that? Still, a tree did fall, and I was there to hear it. Take my word for it. But if I did make the tree fall, why would I want to do that to an innocent tree? Maybe I created the tree, and then I made it fall. If so, did the tree and this falling business only exist in my mind? Or did I create a real tree in order to make it fall? Did I fell the tree merely to demonstrate my power? Let's look at the bigger picture: Is there a difference between a created tree and a real tree? If I only have my senses to go on, how would I know? I could have made the whole thing up. Which leads to the logical question: Do I exist? Choices Regarding Trees and Forests and You and Me If a tree falls in the forest, and you were there to hear it, was I there? Or would you rather be there by yourself? If you go for a walk in a forest where a tree might (or might not) fall, would you wish I was there with you to share the experience? I could have helped you make it happen. But maybe you would rather make it happen by yourself. What if we could make it happen together? Wouldn't that be better? (Assuming the forest exists, and the tree exists, and we both exist.) Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. |