Re: if a tree fell in the w

[David Lindsey <dlindsey@EAGLE.ESD189.WEDNET.EDU>]

        The word you are looking for may be : koan..a word I remember
from reading about Zen Buddhism...

On Thu, 2 May 1996, Joyce Conklin wrote:

> Melissa -
>
> Your teacher may be looking for "rhetorical" -- a question asked for
> effect rather than to elicit an answer.
>
> OTOH, the "tree falling" question depends upon how you define sound. If
> sound is the vibration of the tympanic membrane, then there is no sound
> (no ear to hear.) If sound (as my high school physics teacher defined it
> - you can tell how well that was drilled into my brain!) is defined as "a
> vibration in an elastic medium _capable_ of causing an auditory
> sensation" then yes there is sound, regardless of the presence of an ear.
>
> Joyce Conklin                      jconkli@ed.co.sanmateo.ca.us
> Hillsdale High School
> San Mateo CA  94403-3819
>
>
>
> On Thu, 2 May 1996, Melissa L Overmire wrote:
>
> > Dear reference gurus and brainy types alike,
> > A teacher has asked me to find out what the word is that describes a
> > question with no answer?
> > I.E. If a tree fell in the woods and no one was there to hear it would it
> > make a sound? or What is the sound of one hand clapping? I know, this
> > makes no sense.  HE seems (the teacher) to think that there is a word for
> > questions like those. Have no idea where to look, I am stumped!
> > reply to movermir@mailer.fsu.edu
> > Thanks
> > M.Overmire
> >
>