From: ed@somewhere.in.the.uk   
      
   I should think that anyone at all perusing a philosophy forum will   
   recognise the maxim in the title. If a tree falls in a Siberian forest   
   and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a noise?   
   They'll also recognise the standard reply. Falling trees cause   
   vibrations in the air, which impact on eardrums and produce the   
   perception of sound in the mind. No ears, no sound.   
      
   This is, of course, the main entry point into phenomenalism (what George   
   Berkeley termed "empirical idealism").   
   I believe that today realism rules the roost. But I'm not sure just why.   
      
   Does anyone know of any knockout arguments in favour of metaphysical   
   realism?   
      
   Ed   
      
   There once was a man who said "God   
   Must think it exceedingly odd   
   If he finds that this tree   
   Continues to be   
   When there's no one about in the Quad."   
      
      
   Dear Sir,   
                  Your astonishment's odd.   
   I am always about in the Quad.   
   And that's why the tree   
   Will continue to be   
   Since observed by   
                              Yours faithfully,   
                                                      God   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)