Paradoxes and Dilemmas #2-The Sound of Silence, etc.

Yes, this post is based on Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". It's a good song!

What is the sound of silence?

This same question has many variations, typically involving the senses.

For example:

-What is the color of something without color?

-What is the taste of a tasteless thing?

-What does nothing feel like?

So, what is the sound of silence?

Using the Google dictionary's definition:

"complete absence of sound"

So, if silence is where there is a "complete absence of sound", or there is no sound at all, then it should, theoretically, have no sound. It is the very absence of sound, therefore there is no sound. So it would seem that this dilemma is actually exceptionally easy to solve.

Unless it isn't?

I believe that no human being with the ability to hear has ever experienced complete and absolute silence, such that there is absolutely no sound in an atmosphere a human being lives in. So actual silence might be impossible to achieve. In that case, the actual silence is non-existent. Does something that is non-existent have sound?

Humans that are entirely deaf can experience silence... or can they?

According to many sources online, there is a sound that is not caused by any external sound. This sound is called "tinnitus", and is entirely within the mind.

Quoting a paragraph from The Atlantic's website,

Tinnitus is often described as ringing in the ears, but that’s not the only sound that qualifies. It can also present as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or a noise like crickets, among other things. A type known as pulsatile tinnitus is rhythmic, often keeping time with the person’s heartbeat.

Conclusion: If silence really did exist it would theoretically have no sound. But complete silence seems to be unattainable, so we may never know if would have a unique sound.