American Military University Epistemology Philosophical Essay

this 4 – 5 full page (not to exceed 6 pages) Philosophical Essay you will be writing due Week 7 is designed to be a thoughtful, reflective work. The 4 – 5 full pages does not include a cover page or a resource page. It will be your premier writing assignment focused on the integration and assessment relating to the course concepts. Your paper should be written based on the outline you submitted during week 4 combined with your additional thoughts and instructor feedback. You will use at least three scholarly/reliable resources with matching in-text citations and a resource page. All essays are double spaced, 12 New Times Roman font, paper title, along with all paragraphs indented five spaces.*

• Consider the following philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” (1) How is this philosophical puzzle an epistemological problem? And (2) how would John Locke answer it (CO1). *Attached is the outline of the essay*

Running head: PHILOSOPHY
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Philosophy
Erica Butler
Nancy Wack
American Military University
May 30, 2021
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Philosophy
Question 2
The standard philosophical question states, “if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one
around to hear it, does it make a sound?” has been popularized by philosophical scholars to
account for our vision, thought, experiences, and mental processes. Consequently, the question
attempts to establish our vision in terms of reality. This research paper captures how the question
can be considered an epistemological problem, and a response philosopher John Locke would
give this philosophical puzzle.
First and foremost, the question if a tree falls in a forest and there is no one around to
hear it, it does not make a sound is genuinely an epistemological issue. It can be explained by
basing our knowledge and epistemology (BonJour, 2007). The philosophical text highlights that
knowledge is a considerate concept. Famous philosophers such as Hawley imply that problems
in epistemology consider that philosophical creativity coexists (Schouls, 2018). Furthermore,
putting creativity philosophy in practice enlightens issues relating to creativity morals.
Philosopher Hawley suggests that innovative products entail knowledge and creativity. An
attempt to link falling tree making noise or not depends on the sound’s knowledge determination
and the processes it involves. The issue requires us to identify to what extent we based our
sensory feeling.
Subsequently, the connection of our mind to reality indicates that the brain coexists with
epistemology. Locke argues that practice and knowledge are united. Knowledge and practice are
needed to distinguish between fiction and fact (BonJour, 2007). Also, this attempts to answer the
question stated above on how sound is connected to what we understand about reality. Notably,
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it is the reality that determines epistemology (Parry, 2013). However, John Locke the famous
philosopher who had a different view of this philosophical question, marks our interest in his
implications. John Locke believes on the contrary that if a tree falls on the forest without anyone
to hear it, it will not make a sound (BonJour, 2007). Accordingly, Locke supports his thought by
mentioning that a sound source with a length less than the wavelength will act as a monopole.
The monopoly represents a source to emit energy everywhere. Moreover, John argues that
putting several theories and studying them creates a basis for our knowledge while considering
new ideas.
Next, Locke implies that sound is subsidiary to the operation of the mind, and it exists in
mind and not the environment. He explains this biologically, stating sound is processed at the
auditory apparatus located in the brain cerebrum. A sound wave is then stricken inside the
brain’s sensory glands. John summarizes his theory centered on sensory perception, taste,
feelings, skin, and smells (Parry, 2013). This theory implies that if there is a tree in the forest and
can be touched, it will make a sound wave. Indeed, if the tree falls, it will produce a sound of
hitting the ground because they make waves (BonJour, 2007). Fully considering John’s Locke
theory on primary and secondary values, it can be categorized as a fact. However, Locke’s theory
was opposed by George Berkeley, who argued that the tree of interest would either make a sound
or not. He implied that sound is a result of vibration send through our senses through the ear as a
vessel. Moreover, He based his entire explanation on the idea that we perceive it is in the
person’s company.
Conclusively, the philosophical question states, “if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no
one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” is truly an epistemological problem. The idea of
knowledge and epistemology supports this. Philosopher John Locke’s argument also attempts to
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answer the question. Accordingly, Locke supports his thought by mentioning that a sound source
with a length less than the wavelength will act as a monopole.
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Reference
BonJour, L. (2007). Epistemological problems of perception.
Parry, G. (2013). John Locke. Routledge.
Schouls, P. A. (2018). Reasoned freedom: John Locke and enlightenment. Cornell University
Press.