Perfect silence equates to infinity and is the precondition for existence

Evidence

Max Picard, the Catholic philosopher, had a point when he said that perfect silence, which equals infinity, which equals the absolute, is the necessary precondition for understanding existence. In that sense, then—as crucial concept—full silence is solid and real, something that both antedates and bookends our metered selves. — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 534

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 534
• XREF: connects to: Perfect silence as an unattainable absolute still functions as real and necessary; Pure, absolute silence has never existed and cannot exist — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 603; The idea of an absolute silence functions as a necessary reset point for thought — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 531 (+25 more)

Related

• Silence is nothing merely negative; it is a positive, a complete world in itself #expands (0.75) — The World of Silence | Dennis Lewis

Library Connections

• Perfect silence as an unattainable absolute still functions as real and necessary #qualifies (0.80)

Broader Connections

• Pure, absolute silence has never existed and cannot exist #contradicts (0.75) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 603
• Silence is an active presence that must be experienced, not imagined #expands (0.75) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 26
• Creative thought requires an initial silence that clears prior mental assumptions #exemplifies (0.73) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 453
• The idea of an absolute silence functions as a necessary reset point for thought #corroborates (0.72) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 531
• Silence is a positive, self-contained reality rather than mere absence. #corroborates (0.70) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 19
• The brain amplifies internal noise so total silence cannot be perceived #contradicts (0.70) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 609
• People instinctively generate noise to assert existence against overwhelming emptiness #corroborates (0.70) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 224
• Silence is a positive presence rather than mere absence #expands (0.70) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 1294
• Silence cannot be imagined but only heard firsthand #expands (0.70) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 26
• The unattainable ideal of absolute silence is necessary to resist noise’s control #corroborates (0.68) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 616
• Deep silence can feel like a sensory presence rather than mere absence #corroborates (0.68) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 35
• The brain’s evolved vigilance actively forecloses the possibility of true silence #contradicts (0.68)
• The act of hearing itself may make true absolute silence unattainable #contradicts (0.65) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 526
• People fear true silence because it threatens rather than merely rests their worldview #corroborates (0.65) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 462
• The most valued sound can be the silence preceding a sound #expands (0.65) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 37