problem solving

the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.

im problem solving, leave me alone

by princessblingbling March 27, 2015

problem solved

when you solve a problem

"the murderer can't kill you if you are the murderer"
"problem solved"

by Kreous May 14, 2018

art of problem solving

AoPS. A dating site for asian tryhards.

yo, I have a new boyfriend
already? its been 4 days oml
haha yeah, his art of problem solving username is forester2015

by simonicornie March 31, 2021

Fallacy of Problem-Solving

A fallacy that demands a perfect solution as a precondition for acknowledging a problem. "If you can't solve it perfectly, you can't complain about it." The fallacy sets an impossible standard—any proposed solution can be criticized as insufficient, impractical, or having unintended consequences—and uses that impossibility to dismiss the problem itself. It's the logic of "socialism has failed wherever it's been tried" (ignoring that capitalism has also failed), of "we can't just defund the police without a plan" (as if the current system had a plan). The Fallacy of Problem-Solving is beloved of those who benefit from the status quo, who can always find reasons not to change. The cure is recognizing that problems can be acknowledged without solutions being ready, and that imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.

Example: "He agreed that the healthcare system was broken, but the Fallacy of Problem-Solving meant he never had to support any fix. Single-payer? Too expensive. Public option? Too complicated. Private insurance reform? Too weak. No solution was perfect, so no solution was acceptable. The problem continued, unsolved, unaddressed—which was exactly what the fallacy was designed to achieve."

by Dumu The Void February 20, 2026