What are the problems that we face? What are their causes? Which would we be able to trace their cause ultimately to us (anobis), and which are independent of us (abalia)? I imagine that problems that can be traced to us should to some extent be solvable, since we are the cause. Some problems that are totally independent of us may be insoluble, and others may not.

This theme will most likely also involve quite a bit about human behaviour.

How many times do we ask questions like these with exasperation?

• They say many people are near starvation. Why can’t we feed everyone?
• Are the oceans over-fished? Can we answer this question?
• If so, why can’t we regulate the fishing industry so the oceans are not over-fished?
• Are nuclear weapons a deterrent or a threat? Or both?
• Why can’t they ban land mines? or nuclear weapons?
• Is climate change real? If so, it it caused by carbon emissions?
• If so, why can’t we come to an agreement over limiting carbon emissions?

Aside from what problems we face, this theme explores how we understand these problems, and why at times we fail to solve them. Ideas on how we may solve them should be in the How? theme.