# Problem > A **problem** is a situation in which we experience conflicting ideas. It exists when it seems that some of our theories, especially the explanations they contain, seem inadequate and worth improving. The growth of [Knowledge](Knowledge.md) begins with problems. Problems are generally a *good thing*. They refer to something we haven't solved or understood yet, but whose solving will yield new knowledge. We can think of a problem as a *clash* between ideas, interpretations, or theories. This allows us to start with the idea that both theories can't be true; they are *incompatible*[^1]. It is this incompatibility that the problem consists of. Both ideas may be false, but usually there are important [errors to correct](Error%20Correction.md). A clash of ideas is beneficial even if they are never resolved. The confrontation of ideas is beneficial because it will cause *change* in the ideas. ### Curiosity Conflicting ideas in a broad sense are the occasion for rational thought and inquiry. For example, if we are simply curious about something, it means that we believe that our existing ideas do not adequately capture or explain it. So, we have some *criterion* that our best existing explanation fails to meet. The criterion and the existing explanation are conflicting ideas. So it is in this way that we can cast curiosity as a conflict of ideas, and consequently, as a problem to be solved. ### David Deutsch's Problems It is interesting to think about *how* and *why* David may have come to these ideas. Just how was one human brain *so creative*? He had no super powers. He simply was focused on very interesting problems. Specifically, he was focused on quantum physics and quantum computation. To understand these it required him to delve into philosophy (Popper), and answer questions such as "what is reality?". --- Date: 20240818 Links to: [The Fabric of Reality](The%20Fabric%20of%20Reality.pdf) pg 62, [Beginning of Infinity](Beginning%20of%20Infinity.md) pg 17, [Poppers Scientific Method](Poppers%20Scientific%20Method.md), [Poppers Theory of Knowledge](Poppers%20Theory%20of%20Knowledge.md), [Poppers Political Philosophy](Poppers%20Political%20Philosophy.md) Tags: References: * [The Deutsch Files II](https://nav.al/deutsch-files-ii) [^1]: Potentially [Inconsistent](Inconsistent.md) or [Contradictory](Contradiction.md)