Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4094Total
4094Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Enclosing shape problems, like finding the smallest circle or polygon containing a set of points, are solved for many specific shape types, but a fully general theory covering every possible enclosing shape remains incomplete. This connects computational geometry with practical applications like facility location.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
shape
every
set
points
smallest
possible
specific
haven
determined
whether
resolved
know
philosophy-ethics
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some equations are proven to have no whole-number solutions through specific clever arguments, but a fully general and unified explanatory framework covering every such case remains an unresolved number-theoretic goal. This continues to drive research into Diophantine equations.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
equations
framework
fully
have
solutions
don
know
whether
possible
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some conjectures hold true for infinitely many tested cases without yet having a general proof, raising open questions about whether extensive verification alone can ever substitute for full mathematical certainty. This unresolved tension shapes ongoing debates about the nature of mathematical proof.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
mathematical
whether
true
infinitely
cases
general
haven
resolved
every
statement
philosophy-ethics
know
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Statistical and mathematical tools can detect many kinds of patterns efficiently, but a fully general and guaranteed method covering every possible hidden pattern type remains an unresolved theoretical question. This connects pure mathematics with the practical challenges of modern data analysis.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
fully
method
hidden
patterns
pure
mathematical
analysis
haven
proven
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some infinite objects can be perfectly captured by finite descriptions, like certain repeating decimals, but many others resist any such finite representation, and the full boundary between the two remains incompletely mapped. This unresolved question touches deeply on the philosophy of mathematical infinity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
finite
infinite
mathematical
any
don
know
whether
every
possible
object
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Mathematicians rely on a diverse toolkit of proof techniques suited to different problems, and whether a single unifying method could ever replace this diversity remains a genuinely open and somewhat philosophical mathematical question. This touches on the deepest structure of how mathematical knowledge is built.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
mathematical
whether
proof
single
method
haven
resolved
every
possible
technique
know
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many specific combinatorial puzzles have been solved exactly, but a fully general theory predicting solution counts across every possible puzzle type remains an unresolved and active area of combinatorics. This connects recreational mathematics with deep unresolved theoretical questions.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
general
theory
predicting
combinatorial
puzzle
haven
proven
whether
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophical traditions argue meaningful experiences hold deeper value than accumulated possessions, while others see this distinction as less clear-cut than it first appears. This unresolved question shapes broader debates about consumerism and what truly constitutes a fulfilling life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
value
experiences
possessions
life
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
know
haven
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Genuine altruism seems to require giving without expectation, yet human relationships often naturally involve some sense of reciprocal obligation. This unresolved tension complicates our understanding of charity, friendship, and generosity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
generosity
don
know
fair
expect
gratitude
those
help
true
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many people unknowingly benefit from systems built on past or ongoing injustice, and it remains unclear how much responsibility passive beneficiaries bear for addressing that harm. This unresolved question underlies major debates about privilege and structural inequality.
society-governance
global-unspecified
benefit
haven
resolved
whether
humans
have
obligation
correct
injustices
personally
philosophy-ethics
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Unconditional love suggests acceptance regardless of behavior, yet moral responsibility seems to require holding loved ones accountable for genuine wrongdoing. This unresolved tension appears constantly in personal relationships and family dynamics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
love
behavior
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
possible
someone
resolved
know
haven
ethical
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Free expression is broadly valued as essential to a healthy society, but some speech can contribute to tangible harm, creating an unresolved tension between liberty and protection. This debate remains central to discussions on censorship and hate speech.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
free
expression
harm
don
know
whether
ethical
prioritize
protecting
even
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
If an artificial system behaves as though it's suffering or happy without any confirmed inner experience, it remains unclear whether this simulated behavior deserves any genuine moral weight. This unresolved question is becoming increasingly relevant as AI systems grow more sophisticated.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
any
whether
moral
artificial
systems
haven
figured
out
humans
owe
resolved
mathematics-logic
know
possible
determine
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many social systems implicitly reward productivity with greater respect or resources, yet most ethical traditions insist human worth shouldn't depend on usefulness alone. This unresolved tension underlies debates about disability, aging, and social value.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
worth
productivity
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
base
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Promises are generally treated as morally binding regardless of changing circumstances, but this can sometimes conflict with what seems like the genuinely better or more compassionate choice. This unresolved tension appears throughout personal and contractual ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
binding
circumstances
don
know
whether
possible
justify
treating
promise
even
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Competition can drive genuine excellence and innovation, but it also guarantees that some participants will predictably fail through no unique fault of their own. This unresolved tension underlies debates about fairness in education, employment, and markets.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
haven
resolved
whether
ethical
allow
competitive
systems
inevitably
produce
both
philosophy-ethics
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Habits often develop gradually without deliberate intention, raising questions about how much genuine responsibility a person bears for behavior they didn't consciously choose to cultivate. This unresolved question complicates debates over addiction and personal accountability.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
habits
over
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
possible
fully
resolved
know
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Democratic systems generally depend on active citizen participation, yet forcing engagement as a moral duty seems to conflict with respecting individual autonomy and personal priorities. This unresolved tension shapes ongoing debates about civic responsibility.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
personal
don
know
humans
have
obligation
remain
politically
engaged
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Languages carry unique cultural knowledge and identity, but preservation efforts sometimes conflict with the practical choices speakers themselves make about which language serves them best. This unresolved tension complicates cultural preservation debates.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
preservation
languages
speakers
haven
figured
out
whether
ethical
value
endangered
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many significant social advances were achieved only after considerable struggle and suffering, raising the unresolved question of whether that cost taints or is separate from the value of the progress itself. This tension shapes how societies remember pivotal historical movements.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
historical
progress
suffering
don
have
resolved
way
determine
fair
know
haven
mathematics-logic
