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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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
This is the famous Halting Problem, proven impossible to solve in full generality, yet many partial and practical questions around predicting program behavior remain actively studied. This shapes the theoretical limits of what computers can ever determine about themselves.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
program
whether
determine
don
know
possible
build
computer
always
any
haven
resolved
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Partition numbers grow in a complex, only partially understood way, and while excellent approximations exist, a complete exact predictive formula for all cases remains elusive. This continues to be an active area within combinatorics and number theory.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
number
partition
numbers
understood
haven
proven
whether
distinct
ways
any
know
possible
philosophy-ethics
resolved
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Certain classes of expressions can be checked for equivalence efficiently, but a fully general and guaranteed method covering every possible mathematical expression remains unresolved. This unresolved question has real consequences for automated theorem proving and symbolic computation.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
whether
possible
mathematical
expressions
haven
proven
always
determine
only
finite
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The Prime Number Theorem offers an excellent approximation, but the finer details of exactly how actual prime counts deviate from this smooth prediction remain tied to the still-unproven Riemann Hypothesis. Fully resolving this would refine one of number theory's most central results.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
number
smooth
approximation
haven
proven
whether
primes
below
any
given
know
possible
every
philosophy-ethics
resolved
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Dissection problems, which ask how shapes can be cut and rearranged, often lack complete general solutions beyond specific well-studied cases. This remains an open and often surprisingly difficult area of combinatorial geometry.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
general
haven
proven
whether
there
method
determining
exact
number
ways
philosophy-ethics
know
possible
resolved
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
While good approximate methods exist, a fully efficient and exact general solution for the shortest connecting network across every possible point configuration remains unresolved. This connects computational geometry with practical network design.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
network
exact
efficient
shortest
connecting
haven
resolved
whether
guarantee
know
philosophy-ethics
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Specific techniques exist for counting solutions in many cases, but a complete and general method covering every possible polynomial system remains an unresolved goal in algebraic geometry. This continues to be an active area of mathematical research.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
general
method
solutions
system
polynomial
haven
determined
whether
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Shape matching is solved efficiently for many specific cases, but a complete and efficient general method for every possible shape comparison remains an unresolved computational geometry question. This has real applications in computer vision and pattern recognition.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
whether
possible
general
efficient
method
don
know
construct
fully
determining
haven
philosophy-ethics
resolved
mathematics-logic
every
mathematical
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
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
Unsolicited help is often given with good intentions, but it's unclear whether the recipient owes any gratitude if the assistance wasn't specifically requested or wanted. This unresolved tension complicates everyday interactions around generosity and obligation.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
gratitude
don
have
agreed
way
determine
fair
expect
people
resolved
know
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Various criteria like intelligence, capacity to suffer, or self-awareness have been proposed to justify different treatment, but none commands universal agreement. This unresolved question shapes debates over animal rights and factory farming.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
have
don
settled
way
determine
anything
gives
humans
greater
moral
whether
resolved
agreed
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some ethical theories suggest we're obligated to give up significant comfort to help distant strangers, while common intuition treats this as admirable but optional. Reconciling these views remains an unresolved challenge in ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
don
have
clear
answer
personal
sacrifice
morality
actually
requires
some
whether
resolved
determine
know
haven
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophers argue that creating new life is never straightforwardly good given the guaranteed hardships of existence, while most people reject this conclusion intuitively. This unresolved tension underlies debates in population ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
new
people
existence
given
don
have
resolved
answer
whether
ethical
determine
know
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
If someone truly couldn't have chosen differently given the exact circumstances, some argue they can't be fairly held responsible, while others maintain responsibility doesn't require this kind of freedom. This unresolved debate remains central to philosophy of action.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
responsibility
have
given
haven
resolved
whether
moral
requires
ability
done
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Wild animals experience enormous suffering from disease, starvation, and predation, and it's unclear whether humans have any duty to intervene, given the massive scale and complexity involved. This unresolved question is a growing but underexplored area of ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
humans
have
any
suffering
wild
haven
figured
out
obligation
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Surveillance can prevent crime and terrorism, but it also erodes personal freedom, and there's no consensus on where the right balance lies. Different societies draw this line in very different places.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
don
have
shared
answer
privacy
people
give
safety
different
surveillance
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
know
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
More people are weighing whether having children is fair to those children, given the environmental future they may inherit. This is a deeply personal question without any broadly agreed answer.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
whether
haven
settled
ethical
bring
child
world
severe
climate
risk
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Most democratic input happens only at the ballot box, leaving years between elections where citizens have little formal say in major decisions. Better tools for ongoing public input could make governance more responsive.
society-governance
global-unspecified
citizens
decisions
between
elections
haven
solved
give
real
influence
over
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
public
determine
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some volcanoes give warning signs, but many erupt with little notice, putting nearby populations at serious risk. Better prediction could prevent mass casualties near active volcanoes worldwide.
health-biology
global-unspecified
accurately
forecast
volcanic
eruptions
happen
volcanoes
some
give
warning
signs
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
mathematics-logic
resolved
early