Hello loyal subscribers and readers,
A simple question: What exactly is a problem? We use the word constantly—in mathematics, in science, in business, in psychology, in relationships, in daily life. We are told to become better problem solvers, yet rarely do we stop to ask what a problem actually is, how it forms, or how it should be understood before it is solved. That gap matters, because without a clear understanding of the problem, any solution is, at best, a guess.
I want to introduce a framework and concept that will become central to my work: Problemology.
Problemology is the study of problems—their structure, their formation, and how they can be understood and resolved through systematic and symbolic analysis. ALL PROBLEMS, including academic, business, personal, situational, cultural, and ethical ones are part of the domain that problemology examines and studies. Indeed, this conceptual framework is something more fundamental: It is an attempt to understand problems as structured systems.
At the center of problemology is a simple but powerful claim: Every problem has a hidden equation. Problems are not random; they arise from relationships—between variables, decisions, constraints, and conditions. Those relationships can be understood, modeled, and once understood, changed or modified. Solving a problem is not simply about knowledge, effort, intuition, or experience. It is about defining the problem clearly, identifying the variables involved, understanding how those variables interact, modeling the system, and most importantly, finding the right equation. Because not every problem formulation leads to the best solution.
Most people struggle not because they cannot solve problems, but because they are solving the wrong ones, or solving them in the wrong way. They are working with incomplete or incorrect models of what is actually happening. Problemology aims to change that by shifting the focus from quick solutions to deeper understanding. One might describe it as the study of the architecture of problems.
In future newsletters, I will develop this idea much further and in depth. Specifically, I will discuss how to identify the hidden equation of a problem, how to test whether it is the right equation, how to model problems symbolically, and how to apply this new way of thinking about problem solving to real-world situations.
For now, consider this:
What problem in your life might have a hidden structure you have not yet seen?
CALL TO ACTION: SOLVE A PROBLEM YOU HAVE IGNORED OR DELAYED. NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!
Happy Problem Solving!
Evan