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
Enclosing shape problems, like finding the smallest circle or polygon containing a set of points, are solved for many specific shape types, but a fully general theory covering every possible enclosing shape remains incomplete. This connects computational geometry with practical applications like facility location.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
shape
every
set
points
smallest
possible
specific
haven
determined
whether
resolved
know
philosophy-ethics
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophical traditions argue meaningful experiences hold deeper value than accumulated possessions, while others see this distinction as less clear-cut than it first appears. This unresolved question shapes broader debates about consumerism and what truly constitutes a fulfilling life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
value
experiences
possessions
life
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
know
haven
mathematics-logic
ethical
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
Many people unknowingly benefit from systems built on past or ongoing injustice, and it remains unclear how much responsibility passive beneficiaries bear for addressing that harm. This unresolved question underlies major debates about privilege and structural inequality.
society-governance
global-unspecified
benefit
haven
resolved
whether
humans
have
obligation
correct
injustices
personally
philosophy-ethics
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
possible
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
Free expression is broadly valued as essential to a healthy society, but some speech can contribute to tangible harm, creating an unresolved tension between liberty and protection. This debate remains central to discussions on censorship and hate speech.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
free
expression
harm
don
know
whether
ethical
prioritize
protecting
even
resolved
haven
determine
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
Many social systems implicitly reward productivity with greater respect or resources, yet most ethical traditions insist human worth shouldn't depend on usefulness alone. This unresolved tension underlies debates about disability, aging, and social value.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
worth
productivity
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
base
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Promises are generally treated as morally binding regardless of changing circumstances, but this can sometimes conflict with what seems like the genuinely better or more compassionate choice. This unresolved tension appears throughout personal and contractual ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
binding
circumstances
don
know
whether
possible
justify
treating
promise
even
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Competition can drive genuine excellence and innovation, but it also guarantees that some participants will predictably fail through no unique fault of their own. This unresolved tension underlies debates about fairness in education, employment, and markets.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
haven
resolved
whether
ethical
allow
competitive
systems
inevitably
produce
both
philosophy-ethics
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
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
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
Languages carry unique cultural knowledge and identity, but preservation efforts sometimes conflict with the practical choices speakers themselves make about which language serves them best. This unresolved tension complicates cultural preservation debates.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
preservation
languages
speakers
haven
figured
out
whether
ethical
value
endangered
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many significant social advances were achieved only after considerable struggle and suffering, raising the unresolved question of whether that cost taints or is separate from the value of the progress itself. This tension shapes how societies remember pivotal historical movements.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
historical
progress
suffering
don
have
resolved
way
determine
fair
know
haven
mathematics-logic
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