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
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
Some argue all intentional deception is equally wrong regardless of motive, while others believe compassionate lies deserve a fundamentally different ethical category. This unresolved tension remains central to debates on the ethics of honesty.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
lies
different
haven
resolved
whether
possible
justify
treating
certain
like
know
mathematics-logic
determine
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Personal happiness and obligation to others can conflict directly, and no ethical framework has fully resolved which should take precedence when a genuine tradeoff exists. This unresolved tension shapes deeply personal decisions throughout life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
personal
ethical
happiness
take
others
don
know
whether
allow
priority
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People often behave more ethically in some contexts than others, and it's unclear whether this inconsistency reflects a genuine character flaw or simply the natural complexity of human behavior. This unresolved tension complicates how we judge moral character overall.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
moral
behavior
don
have
resolved
way
determine
fair
expect
know
haven
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Meaningful change and growth sometimes require difficult decisions that inevitably affect others, and it's unclear how much personal development can reasonably justify this collateral impact. This unresolved tension shapes decisions about relationships, careers, and major life changes.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
personal
growth
require
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
causing
some
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Being emotionally available to others is often seen as a virtue, but constant availability can come at a real cost to a person's own wellbeing and boundaries. This unresolved tension shapes debates over compassion fatigue and the limits of caregiving.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
emotionally
available
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Seeking validation from others is a natural human tendency, but it's unclear how much this desire compromises the authenticity of the values and choices it influences. This unresolved tension touches on both personal psychology and the philosophy of authentic living.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
desire
validation
personal
values
choices
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophers argue honesty is an absolute duty, while others believe consequences justify occasional deception, particularly to prevent harm. Real situations in medicine and relationships constantly test where this line actually falls.
health-biology
global-unspecified
haven
figured
out
whether
ever
morally
permissible
lie
someone
own
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue that failing to prevent harm when you're capable is morally equivalent to causing it, while others maintain a meaningful distinction between action and inaction. This unresolved question shapes debates over charitable obligation.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
prevent
haven
resolved
whether
humans
have
duty
suffering
didn
directly
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue that a painless death still deprives an animal of a future it would have otherwise had, while others see humane treatment as sufficient justification. This unresolved debate shapes ongoing arguments about ethical food choices.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
death
haven
resolved
whether
morally
acceptable
eat
animals
treated
humanely
know
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophers treat privacy as essential to human dignity and autonomy, while others see it as a practical arrangement that can be reasonably traded away for security or convenience. This unresolved question underlies major surveillance debates.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
privacy
convenience
don
have
clear
answer
whether
fundamental
right
simply
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
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 frameworks argue we should maximize felt happiness, while others argue people should get what they actually want, even if it doesn't make them happier. These can produce very different, sometimes conflicting, ethical conclusions.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
happiness
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
satisfaction
preferences
matters
know
haven
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
If value is tied only to usefulness, this raises uncomfortable implications for how we treat people who can no longer contribute to society. Resolving this question remains foundational to debates on dignity and human rights.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
value
whether
its
human
usefulness
don
know
life
has
inherent
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue long-standing traditions encode valuable accumulated wisdom, while others see this reasoning as a way to justify practices that are simply unjust. Balancing respect for culture with universal ethical standards remains unresolved.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
way
reasoning
don
have
agreed
determine
weight
tradition
cultural
practice
whether
resolved
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue that harmless private actions, like certain personal choices, shouldn't be subject to moral judgment at all, while others believe morality extends beyond direct harm to virtue and character. This unresolved question shapes debates over the proper scope of ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
haven
resolved
whether
action
morally
wrong
even
harms
some
argue
know
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some argue nature has value independent of human interest, while others see environmental protection as justified only by its benefit to humans, directly or indirectly. This unresolved debate underlies much of environmental ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
humans
don
have
clear
answer
whether
obligated
preserve
species
ecosystems
resolved
know
determine
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
Some argue certain hardships build character or understanding in ways that make them valuable in hindsight, while others reject the idea that suffering is ever truly redeemed by its outcomes. This unresolved question shapes how we think about adversity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
suffering
ever
haven
figured
out
whether
justified
leads
greater
personal
know
resolved
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some ethical frameworks hold that risk to oneself doesn't excuse inaction when someone else's life is at stake, while others believe there are reasonable limits to what morality can demand. This unresolved question surfaces in real emergency and rescue situations.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
risk
haven
resolved
whether
morally
acceptable
withhold
aid
those
need
know
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
don