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
Public figures often face harsher scrutiny for behavior that would be judged more leniently in private citizens, and it remains unresolved whether this distinction is genuinely fair or simply a social double standard. This unresolved tension shapes debates over accountability and public trust.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
public
whether
figures
private
citizens
don
know
possible
justify
holding
haven
resolved
society-governance
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Actively seeking out disagreement can strengthen understanding and reduce bias, but there's no clear consensus on whether this is a genuine moral obligation or simply a personal virtue. This unresolved question touches on intellectual humility and the ethics of belief.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
obligation
out
haven
resolved
humans
have
any
seek
uncomfortable
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even societies that claim to reward merit often still allow inherited advantages like family wealth or connections to shape real opportunity. This unresolved tension complicates efforts to build a genuinely fair and merit-based system.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
allow
inherited
opportunity
merit-based
system
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Rare catastrophic events can cause immense damage despite low probability, while everyday risks accumulate steadily but attract far less attention or resources. This unresolved tension complicates how societies and individuals should rationally allocate concern and resources.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
rare
catastrophic
risks
everyday
don
know
whether
possible
fully
justify
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Emotional openness is often seen as essential to genuine connection, yet it also exposes people to real potential harm, and no clear consensus exists on how much vulnerability morality actually requires. This unresolved tension shapes both personal relationships and broader social trust.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
real
haven
resolved
whether
humans
have
duty
remain
emotionally
vulnerable
know
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Symbolic acknowledgment can carry real emotional and social significance, but it's unclear whether it can ever substitute for more substantive forms of repair or restitution. This unresolved tension remains central to ongoing debates about historical accountability.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
symbolic
historical
don
know
possible
justify
treating
gestures
like
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Genuine ignorance can reduce blame for wrongdoing, but it remains unclear how much effort a person is morally required to make in order to actually know better. This unresolved tension complicates debates over willful ignorance and moral accountability.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
ignorance
moral
haven
resolved
whether
ethical
allow
people
opt
out
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some believe unresolved anger should eventually give way to forgiveness for the sake of personal peace, while others argue there's no moral deadline for healing from serious harm. This unresolved tension shapes both personal relationships and broader restorative justice practices.
society-governance
global-unspecified
way
forgiveness
don
have
agreed
determine
whether
fair
expect
come
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ethical frameworks that count future potential people equally can lead to counterintuitive conclusions about how we should prioritize resources today. This unresolved tension remains central to debates in population ethics and long-term policy planning.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
people
equally
future
don
know
whether
possible
justify
caring
hypothetical
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As digital platforms increasingly influence what people see, believe, and desire, it's unclear how much this shapes authentic identity versus manufactured preference. This unresolved question grows more urgent as algorithmic influence deepens in everyday life.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
identity
haven
figured
out
whether
ethical
allow
personal
shaped
significantly
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Physical pain, emotional distress, and existential anguish may all count as suffering, but it's unclear whether they deserve identical moral weight or should be treated as fundamentally different categories. This unresolved question complicates how we compare and prioritize different kinds of harm.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
all
suffering
don
know
possible
justify
treating
forms
ethically
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue refusing to forgive certain wrongs preserves a person's dignity and sense of justice, while others see prolonged resentment as ultimately corrosive rather than protective. This unresolved tension shapes how we understand forgiveness and self-respect.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
self-respect
rather
unresolved
haven
resolved
whether
ethical
hold
onto
grudges
know
determine
mathematics-logic
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
A single serious lapse can overshadow a lifetime of otherwise decent conduct, and it remains unresolved how heavily isolated failures should weigh against consistent character. This tension shapes public judgment of both public figures and people in our personal lives.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
character
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
fair
judge
someone
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Grief looks very different depending on cultural context, and it's unclear whether some expressions should be considered more or less appropriate than others. This unresolved question touches on cross-cultural ethics and respect for differing emotional traditions.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
grief
don
know
ethical
allow
deeply
personal
expressed
processed
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Sometimes achieving broader social stability seems to require tolerating individual injustices in the short term, creating an unresolved ethical tension between collective and individual good. This tension appears in debates over transitional justice after conflict or political upheaval.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
individual
stability
over
justice
haven
figured
out
whether
possible
justify
resolved
know
determine
ethical
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Relationships often require compromise, but it's unclear how much personal change can reasonably be expected before it undermines someone's genuine sense of self. This unresolved tension shapes debates in both personal relationships and broader social expectations.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
relationships
change
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
know
haven
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many deeply held beliefs about meaning and purpose fall outside what science can confirm or deny, and it's unclear whether this should affect how seriously we treat them. This unresolved tension underlies broader debates between faith, philosophy, and empirical inquiry.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
meaning
beliefs
don
know
ethical
allow
people
derive
never
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Institutions are made up of changing individuals over time, making it unclear whether blame can meaningfully persist against the institution itself rather than the specific people responsible. This unresolved question complicates debates over long-term institutional accountability.
society-governance
global-unspecified
against
whether
institutions
individuals
haven
resolved
possible
justify
holding
grudges
philosophy-ethics
know
mathematics-logic
determine
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People sometimes hold personal beliefs that don't align with their public behavior, and it's unclear whether this represents a meaningful moral failing or simply a reasonable separation between private and public life. This unresolved tension shapes debates over hypocrisy and authenticity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
public
don
whether
between
private
beliefs
have
agreed
way
determine
resolved
haven
know
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Focusing resources and attention on the most vulnerable can come at some cost to overall group efficiency or advancement, creating an unresolved tension between compassion and collective progress. This tension appears throughout education, healthcare, and social policy.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
group
vulnerable
progress
don
know
whether
ethical
prioritize
wellbeing
members
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
