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
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
Enhancing traits like intelligence or appearance raises questions about consent, since the child never agreed to the modification, alongside broader worries about fairness and inequality. This unresolved debate will only grow more urgent as genetic technology advances.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
haven
figured
out
whether
ethical
genetically
enhance
future
children
beyond
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even acts of apparent sacrifice can be explained by psychological rewards like satisfaction or social approval, raising doubt about whether pure altruism is even possible. Resolving this affects how we understand human motivation and moral praise.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
whether
acts
don
know
truly
altruistic
behavior
exists
all
seemingly
haven
resolved
philosophy-ethics
possible
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Respecting autonomy generally requires giving people accurate information to make their own decisions, but doing so can sometimes cause significant, arguably avoidable, distress. This unresolved tension appears constantly in medicine and personal relationships.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
haven
figured
out
whether
ethical
withhold
difficult
truths
someone
protect
resolved
know
determine
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even setting aside physical determinism, some argue that all our choices are ultimately shaped by factors outside our control, like genetics and upbringing, undermining true freedom. This unresolved metaphysical question has significant implications for how we assign responsibility.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
have
all
don
agreed
way
determine
whether
humans
free
will
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As artificial systems become more sophisticated, the possibility that some could genuinely suffer raises serious unresolved questions about the ethics of their creation and use. This concern will likely intensify as the technology matures.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
artificial
don
know
whether
ethical
create
beings
capable
suffering
purely
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Different cultures and philosophical traditions ground rights in very different assumptions about human nature and society, making a single universally justified framework difficult to establish. This unresolved tension complicates international human rights enforcement.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
human
rights
single
cultures
don
know
whether
possible
justify
any
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
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
Two people can make the same decision, but only one faces a bad outcome due to pure chance, raising the question of whether they deserve different moral judgment. This unresolved issue challenges standard assumptions about fairness in blame and praise.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
moral
don
know
luck
affect
judge
person
actions
people
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Maximizing equality often requires limiting some individual freedoms, and maximizing freedom often produces significant inequality, creating a tension no single theory has fully resolved. This unresolved balance remains central to political philosophy.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
fully
theory
equality
individual
freedom
haven
figured
out
whether
possible
resolved
mathematics-logic
know
determine
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophical traditions argue coming into existence carries a built-in risk of harm that non-existence avoids entirely, while most people intuitively value life as a good in itself. This unresolved debate underlies serious questions in population ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
existence
itself
good
don
know
whether
considered
fundamentally
neutral
something
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Policies that protect the most vulnerable often slow down broader societal advancement or economic growth, creating an unresolved tension between compassion and collective progress. Different ethical frameworks weigh this tradeoff very differently.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
ethical
vulnerable
progress
haven
figured
out
whether
prioritize
protecting
even
philosophy-ethics
resolved
determine
know
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some philosophers argue all observation and reasoning is inevitably shaped by underlying values, while others maintain a meaningful distinction between fact and value can still be preserved. This unresolved question underlies much of epistemology and philosophy of science.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
values
haven
resolved
whether
possible
fully
separate
objective
facts
world
know
mathematics-logic
determine
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Certain industries and roles inevitably benefit from human suffering, such as disaster recovery services, raising unresolved questions about whether it's ever fully ethical to build wealth this way. This tension arises in many overlooked corners of the modern economy.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
ethical
suffering
haven
resolved
profit
others
even
you
didn
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Wild animals experience enormous suffering from disease, starvation, and predation, and it's unclear whether humans have any duty to intervene, given the massive scale and complexity involved. This unresolved question is a growing but underexplored area of ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
humans
have
any
suffering
wild
haven
figured
out
obligation
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Descendants of those who committed historical injustices, or who benefited from them, didn't choose their circumstances, yet many argue some moral responsibility still transfers across generations. This unresolved question underlies major debates about reparations and generational privilege.
society-governance
global-unspecified
moral
generations
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
fair
inherit
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
haven
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
Some argue outcomes matter most regardless of how they were achieved, while others believe the means used fundamentally taint the value of the result. This unresolved tension appears throughout debates in both personal ethics and public policy.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
achieved
means
value
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
good
know
haven
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Beliefs are often shaped by upbringing, culture, and circumstance rather than deliberate choice, raising doubt about whether people can be fairly held responsible for holding them. This unresolved question complicates debates over prejudice and moral accountability.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
whether
people
beliefs
don
have
agreed
way
determine
blamed
didn
resolved
know
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some long-term ethical frameworks argue humanity's continued existence matters more than any individual's current suffering, while others reject sacrificing real people for abstract future outcomes. This unresolved tension is increasingly relevant to debates on existential risk.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
ethical
humanity
don
know
whether
prioritize
survival
species
over
wellbeing
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
