Reflection on the Documentary Entitled If a Tree Falls

Ma. Clarida D. Pineda

(AB Philosophy 3-1)
Department of Philosophy and the Humanities
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila
mariaclaridapineda@gmail.com

We are aware that there is a rapid growth in our economy. With the advancement in
technology, everything seems to be easy. In the fields of communication, transportation,
industrial technology, food and agricultural technology, there is no doubt that technology
provides us a convenient life. But along with it is a massive abuse in the nature. As the company
owners advance their technology the more they demand resources in nature.
While the number of companies increases, pollution became a major problem in the
society. And although there are laws that prohibits the companies from emitting dangerous
chemicals and for extracting much from nature, it seems that it was inefficient. It seems that in
our era capitalists are the primary pollutants in the world. They are the like a termite that were
gradually destroying the world.
In a documentary entitled If a Tree Falls, tackles about a story about the members of an
environmental movement, Earth Liberation Front which aims to destroy companies that they
accuse for abusing the environment. And they do that by launching arson. At first, they only do is
to have a protest in front of the company buildings, but they realized that none of their concern
was heard so they decided to sabotage the companies whose agenda is opposed to theirs.
Why do these things happen? There are laws limiting the use of natural resources, but
why do such activities such as excessive cutting of trees are still going on? In a modern capitalist
society, do laws governing the use of natural resources still effective nowadays? Does it apply to
everybody or to selected people only?
It seems that those who own the means of production or the capitalist has the power to do
what they want. Hence, I can say that our laws today are useless and applies only to the
propertyless people so that the capitalist can protect their interest.
I think the government plays a huge role to what is happening right now. If there is a
leader who possess the virtues of Jen (human-heartedness), Yi (righteousness), Li (propriety),

and Chic (Wisdom) just like what Confucius said, I think everything will be in order or in
harmony.1 If political leaders are to possess those virtues, their administration will result to the
happiness and enlightenment of the people. 2Likewise, the people will cooperate with the state.
Political leaders should be a good example and role models to the people.
Furthermore, for me, Platos argument that arts play a huge role in education is right,3 that
fictional tale has a dominant role in it.4 However, he argues that a good fiction should impose a
good character on its audience.5 In addition, one way that will help us to educate mankind that
we should be aware of the massive destruction of the nature made by the capitalist is through
fictional tales. Fictional tales which contains right conducts that will awaken the consciousness
of the people to take care nature is necessary. And as early as possible, a child should be exposed
to that kind of poetry.
In addition, emotions such as pity and fear felt by members in the Earth Liberation Front,
or whatever organization or people concerning their complaints about the companies that they
accuse for destroying the environment, should lead to what Aristotle called catharsis. Catharsis,
as what Professor Virgillo Rivas said happens when you let the tension eat you, but not too
much. And this tension must be resolved. If it happens, it brings ethical habituation.6 It teaches
us where and when it is appropriate to feel pity and fear.7 Thus, catharsis makes the soul settle
down.8
Likewise, I agree with Hume that people have different tastes, resulting from different
perceptions. Thus, the differences in judgment are based on different perceptions. Maybe the
1 Amable Tuibeo, Introduction to Philosophy (Manila: FCA Printhouse, 2010), 128.
2 Ibid., 128.
3 The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, ed. Berys Gaut, & Dominic McIvan Lopes (New York:
Routledge, 2001), 3.

4 Ibid., 4.
5 Ibid., 4.
6 Ibid., 18.
7 Ibid., 18.
8 Ibid., 18.

members of the Earth Liberation Front have a different taste about the nature to the companies
who exercise an excessive use of natural resources that is why problems arise.
There are a numbers of way wherein we can avoid situations like what has been shown in
the documentary, If a Tree Falls and whatever solution we have in our mind, what is important is
that if you are in the midst of a time when you do not know what to do, always choose the right
thing.

Bibliography

Janaway, Christopher. "Plato." In The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, edited by Berys Gaut,
& Dominic McIvan Lopes, 3-13. New York: Routledge, 2001.
Pappas, Nickolas. "Aristotle." In The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, edited by Berys Gaut,
& Dominic Lopes, 15-26. New York: Routledge, 2001.
Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. History of Philosophy:Eastern and Western. London: George and
Allen Unwin Ltd., 1952.
Shelley, James. "Hutcheson and Hume." In The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, edited by
Berys Gaut, & Dominic Lopes, 37-49. New York: Routledge, 2001.
Tuibeo, Amable. "The Problem of Politics." Chap. 7 in Introduction to Philosophy, by Amable
Tuibeo, 125-140. Manila: FCA Printhouse, 2010.