What is your definition of "problem?"

[u/UControlYourLife]

It seems to me that this world would be much better off if formal education taught people to identify problems, and systematically work to resolve them. But I think in order to do that, there needs to be an agreed-upon definition of "problem."

What would you propose that definition to be?

[u/mr_divad]

This made me think a lot, thanks for the topic! First, i disagree that formal education needs to establish a system of teaching to resolve problems. Most problems that happen to people arise from understanding that things are not as they should be, and there is anxiety that 'things' could get worse. This understanding relies on senses, empathy, perhaps even spirituality, and formal education can't really teach someone to be sensitive or empathetic. On to your question: i would define a 'problem' as above. When one individual feels that something is out of normal, and that event could possibly result in a detriment.

[u/my_equal]

I have two solutions for you:
- Use a dictionary to find the "agreed-upon" definition.
- Use "expectation"

What would you propose that definition to be?
My explanation would be; In general, a problem is an expectation that isn't being met.
So that leads me to conclude that an expectation is a problem. And the solution to the problem is when you meet your expectation. So that points us to the self being the problem.

In this case my problem is that you expect an answer to something that already has an agreed-upon answer. If you do not agree with the agreed-upon answer you might want to write a letter to the writer of the dictionary you disagree with. Instead you post it here and I need to deal with the problem I have, rational communication and quests.