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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Living authentically sometimes requires choices that disappoint or hurt people who relied on a different version of us, and it's unclear how much this justifies the resulting harm. This unresolved tension shapes major personal decisions throughout adult life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
personal
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
pursuit
authenticity
justify
hurting
resolved
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Individual conscience is often respected even against majority opinion, but it's unclear how much personal conviction alone can justify defying broader social agreement on serious ethical matters. This unresolved tension underlies debates over civil disobedience and moral dissent.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
ethical
personal
majority
moral
don
know
whether
allow
deeply
held
resolved
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Curiosity is generally seen as a virtue, but pursuing knowledge in certain sensitive or dangerous areas raises unresolved questions about whether some questions are better left unexplored. This tension appears in debates over scientific inquiry and forbidden knowledge.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
certain
curiosity
haven
figured
out
possible
justify
treating
forms
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Avoiding conflict often protects short-term comfort, but it can also mean neglecting necessary accountability or truth-telling that genuinely matters. This unresolved tension shapes everyday decisions in both personal relationships and public life.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
personal
comfort
avoiding
but
necessary
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Concern about lasting impact or how one will be remembered can sometimes come at the expense of enjoying and prioritizing present-day happiness. This unresolved tension shapes how people balance long-term purpose with everyday contentment.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
present-day
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
pursuit
legacy
outweigh
genuine
resolved
haven
determine
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
Life circumstances can change dramatically after a promise is made, and it's unclear how much this changed context should affect the moral weight of the original commitment. This unresolved tension appears in debates over long-term personal and professional commitments.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
made
life
circumstances
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
know
haven
ethical