‘Does a falling tree in the forest make a sound when there is no one to hear?’

In his novel Small Gods, the British author Terry Pratchett wrote: “One of the recurring philosophical questions is: ‘Does a falling tree in the forest make a sound when there is no one to hear?’ Which says something about the nature of philosophers, because there is always someone in a forest. It may only be a badger, wondering what that cracking noise was, or a squirrel a bit puzzled by all the scenery going upwards, but someone. At the very least, if it was deep enough in the forest, millions of small gods would have heard it.”

Pratchett’s humorous quip challenges the notion of isolation inherent in the question by suggesting that there is "always someone in a forest." He points out that the forest is not devoid of observers, even if they are creatures like badgers or squirrels. Perhaps there are even “millions of small gods” inhabiting this place that is full of life and activities by sentient beings. This assertion renders absurd the underlying assumption of a forest without human presence as empty and devoid of awareness and consciousness. Indeed, it invites us to contemplate the possibility that perception is not limited to the human realm and consciousness is inherent in the natural world, that even in the quietude of a forest, active observation and contemplation persist.

Unfortunately, the creatures in the forest are not able to participate in the philosopher’s thought experiment to voice their displeasure with its premise. Their presence is relegated to the symphony of the woods: the gentle rustling of leaves as they dance to the tune of the wind's whisper, the swift patter of animal paws weaving a narrative of sustenance, and the inquisitive melodies of birds serenading their mates in nature's choir. If human beings happen to set foot in the forest and take time to contemplate this vibrant web of existence, they might realize that there isn’t any natural phenomenon taking place without an observer somewhere being aware of the event. This realization, however, would make it possible for them to answer the question that Thai scholar monk Prayudh Payutto posed to his listeners in a lecture: “Is the relationship between Thai people and forests one of friendship or of enemies?” Indeed, the response will depend on whether one is able to even conceive of a relationship between humans and non-human entities.