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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Public interest sometimes seems to justify exposing private information about individuals in positions of power, but where exactly this justification ends remains unresolved. This tension shapes ongoing debates about journalism, whistleblowing, and public trust.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
public
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
personal
privacy
overridden
sake
haven
resolved
society-governance
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Remaining silent while witnessing injustice can feel like a passive failure, but it's unclear how much active obligation silence actually violates, especially when speaking up carries real personal risk. This unresolved tension underlies debates about bystander responsibility.
society-governance
global-unspecified
silence
haven
figured
out
whether
possible
justify
treating
form
moral
philosophy-ethics
know
resolved
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People change considerably over time, and it's unclear whether commitments made at an earlier, less informed stage of life should remain fully binding later on. This unresolved tension appears in debates over long-term vows, career paths, and personal commitments.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
people
made
less
don
have
resolved
way
determine
fair
haven
know
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Justice and mercy can pull in opposite directions in specific cases, and no ethical framework has fully resolved which should take priority when they genuinely conflict. This unresolved tension remains central to debates in both personal ethics and criminal justice.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
justice
ethical
mercy
don
know
whether
allow
pursuit
sometimes
come
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Mild self-deception can sometimes protect wellbeing or motivation, but it's unclear whether this ever fully escapes the broader ethical concern around avoiding false beliefs. This unresolved tension touches on both personal psychology and the ethics of belief.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
self-deception
haven
resolved
possible
justify
treating
certain
forms
harmless
know
mathematics-logic
determine
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Concern about how one will be remembered can shape real decisions in ways that may or may not align with genuinely ethical reasoning. This unresolved tension raises questions about the proper role of legacy in moral motivation.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
ethical
legacy
remembered
moral
decisions
don
know
whether
allow
personal
resolved
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Loyalty to friends, family, or groups is widely valued, but it can sometimes require favoring those close to us over what impartial fairness would otherwise demand. This unresolved tension shapes debates over nepotism, favoritism, and personal ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
loyalty
fairness
haven
figured
out
whether
possible
justify
treating
moral
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
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 prefer clear narratives and resolution, even when it means adopting interpretations that aren't fully supported by the actual evidence available. This unresolved tension touches on both personal psychology and the broader ethics of belief formation.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
unresolved
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
desire
closure
influence
interpret
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Hope can motivate perseverance even in dire circumstances, but forcing optimism onto someone facing truly bleak prospects raises unresolved ethical and psychological concerns. This tension appears throughout end-of-life care, crisis situations, and personal adversity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
hope
situations
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
resolved
know
haven
ethical