The Definition Of What A Problem Is

Everyone is familiar with the term problem, and everyone would appreciate what one is referring to when the concept of a problem is brought up. This strongly suggests that the term problem has an absolute meaning, if not an absolute interpretation. Considering this perspective, a problem could reasonably be referred to as a situation that requires some form of intervention and solution. Again however, the interpretation of what a problem is most certainly varies.

One thing that differentiates problems is level of significance. A leaky faucet for instance might be a problem, but is far less significant than not having enough food to eat. It's a difference that is mostly obvious: one of the situations described would be considered a nuisance, while another is a matter of life and death. This also addresses the issue of how people interpret problems. The more complex a society is, the more it would seem that one could find problematic. Automobile traffic is definitely a problem in some places, but not everywhere.

An aspect of problems that seems fluid is how troubling one finds a problem to be. Missing a flight for a meeting would certainly be considered problematic with a certain perspective. The same situation would be almost entirely meaningless however if one knew they only had a short time to live. The outcome here indicates that conception of a problem is strongly influenced by perceived consequences. If the consequences of a situation won't have a detrimental impact on the individual, the significance of the problem lessens greatly.

Once a problem is encountered however, immediate focus typically goes to solving whatever the problem is. A technique known as ho'oponopono is a unique method for problem solving. The ho'oponopono technique originated on the islands of Hawaii, where ho'oponopono has been practiced for generations. In its original form ho'oponopono was used for solving problems between individuals or groups of people. A newer ho'oponopono form is focused entirely on the individual.

This ho'oponopono focus on the individual rather than on some external source is quite rare, certainly in western cultures. The western culture means for problem solving often focuses on altering external factors as much as possible. This implies strongly a tendency toward seeing problems as apart from the individual. The ho'oponopono emphasis on inward problem solving reflects the polar opposite approach. Taking an approach like this, an approach of starting from within if you will, would likely strike externalists as quite odd.

Having said this, there's a growing interest in ho'oponopono and the method is becoming increasingly popular. While this doesn't necessarily certainly indicate that ho'oponopono is the ideal problem solving method, it does suggest that something within the method works.