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.
Publicly citable
Every problem has a stable citation code for reference and discussion.
Filtered by relevance
Search by category, geography, status, and keywords.
Builder-oriented
Use the repository to find startup ideas, policy leads, and research agendas.
4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Additive combinatorics explores these kinds of guaranteed substructure questions extensively, but many specific cases remain without a fully general proof. This continues to be an active and evolving research area.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
property
specific
don
know
whether
every
finite
set
numbers
must
haven
philosophy-ethics
resolved
possible
mathematical
open
United States, North America
Some proofs span thousands of pages or rely on massive computer verification, and whether complete, error-free confidence is ever truly achievable for such proofs remains a genuinely unresolved epistemological and mathematical question. This shapes ongoing debates about the future of mathematical certainty.
mathematics-logic
north-america
united-states
mathematical
proofs
whether
haven
resolved
possible
fully
efficiently
verify
correctness
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
know
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ambitious pursuits can sometimes indirectly disadvantage others even without any deliberate intention to cause harm, raising unresolved questions about how much responsibility ambition carries. This tension appears throughout competitive personal and professional life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
personal
ambition
others
harm
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
come
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
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
Genuine empathy is often praised as essential to moral understanding, but it's unclear how much true empathy is even possible without any lived proximity to another's specific suffering. This unresolved tension complicates how we approach compassion across vastly different life experiences.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
empathy
experiences
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
know
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Competitive and cooperative instincts can pull people in opposite directions, and it's unclear whether a person or system can genuinely embody both without one undermining the other. This unresolved tension appears throughout economics, sports, and interpersonal relationships.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
whether
haven
figured
out
possible
justify
treating
certain
forms
competitiveness
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
We tend to believe humanity has become more moral over time, abolishing slavery and expanding rights, but philosophers debate whether this represents real progress or just changing preferences. Settling this affects how confident we can be about future ethical judgments.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
moral
progress
ethical
don
know
genuinely
possible
views
simply
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many ethical frameworks tie moral status to rationality or self-awareness, which complicates how we justify the strong obligations most people feel toward those without these capacities. This unresolved gap remains ethically significant.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
obligations
people
don
have
agreed
way
determine
owe
severe
cognitive
whether
resolved
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophers argue true morality requires genuine concern for others, while others believe self-interest can align with moral behavior without undermining its validity. This unresolved question touches on the deepest motivations behind ethical action.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
while
don
know
whether
possible
act
morally
remaining
entirely
self-interested
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some beings, whether animals, future AI, or even certain medical patients, might have rich inner experiences without any reliable way of expressing them. This unresolved uncertainty creates serious ethical risk of overlooking real suffering.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
any
might
haven
figured
out
humans
owe
moral
consideration
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Sea walls and barriers can protect some areas but often shift flooding risk elsewhere or fail to address long-term relocation needs. A truly sustainable coastal adaptation strategy remains incomplete in most vulnerable regions.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
protect
coastal
sea
haven
found
way
cities
level
rise
displacing
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Bee populations have declined sharply in many regions, partly due to pesticide exposure, threatening the pollination that much of global food production depends on. A farming approach that protects both crops and pollinators remains incomplete.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
pollinators
haven
solved
farm
pesticides
harm
like
bees
bee
populations
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
prevent
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farms create dead zones in rivers and lakes where oxygen levels drop too low to support aquatic life. Preventing this runoff without harming farm productivity remains an unresolved environmental challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
runoff
haven
found
way
protect
freshwater
ecosystems
agricultural
pollution
scale
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
prevent
resolved