The Problem-Solution Dialectic: A Wicked Problem

[DISCLAIMER]

The late German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel proposed what is often referred to as the Hegelian dialectic. For context, the American Psychological Association thusly describes three uses of the term dialectic:

1. in general, any investigation of the truth of ideas through juxtaposition of opposing or contradictory opinions.

2. the conversational mode of argument attributed to Socrates, in which knowledge is sought through a process of question and answer.

3. in the work of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831), the pattern of statement, contradiction, and reconciliation (thesis, antithesis, and synthesis) that he held to govern thought processes and the progress of human history.

Although Hegel apparently used the term “dialectical” on rare occasions, it’s my understanding that he characterized his philosophy as “speculative” rather than dialectical. Of course, I plead ignorance regarding his nuanced position, as I’ve not read much of Hegel’s work.

Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning the late philosopher when discussing the problem-solution (also problem/solution) dialect. I say this, because the Hegelian dialectic is sometimes mistakenly conflated with the problem-solution dialectic.

Whereas Hegel’s dialectic regards thesis, antithesis, and synthesis (i.e., idea, opposition, and resolution), the problem-solution dialectic is a method of navigating complexity by identifying contradictions (i.e., problems) and resolving them through open and honest discussion.

In the interest of openness and honesty, I often find it useful to define terms for the sake of clarity when providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). As such, a “problem” is a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution.

Similarly, a “solution” is an act or means of solving a problem. Clarifying this problem-solution dynamic, one source states:

A problem is a difficulty that presents itself and needs a solution. It is a condition or a circumstance where there is gap between what we want or need to happen and what is actually happening. The questions that are asked about problems are central to understanding what the problem is [page 15] […]

A wicked problem stretches the problem/solution dialectic we have established almost to breaking point. It may seem odd for the authors to set up a way of thinking and then attempt to demolish it, but we are doing so deliberately because that is what researching is like.

The model of problem/solution we have discussed before is one that is commonly seen as being central to design, and works well when the problem is seen from a controlled set of perspectives. However, by its very nature this dialectical formulation implies that ultimately there is a solution to a problem, and all that is needed to ensure the success of this dialectic is the use of significant questions.

We have observed already that a solution might in turn create new problems, but our observations up to this point have assumed that a problem is solvable. The issue of the wicked problem is that the problem/solution dialectic is framed from different vantage points with multiple value systems and conflicting goals [page 24].

In common parlance, the word “wicked” means morally very bad. If I’ve interpreted the aforementioned source accurately, then a wicked problem is one which requires answers, though when answered creates morally bad problems. Here, it may useful to define morals and ethics.

A moral is a person’s standard of behavior or belief concerning what is and isn’t acceptable for the individual and other people. Morals thus relate to what’s considered good, bad, right, wrong, or otherwise acceptable or unacceptable.

An ethic is a set of moral principles, especially those relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct. Whereas morals relate to what is thought of as pleasing or displeasing behaviors and beliefs, ethics – based on morals – are the social rules by which we pledge to live.

For context, a principle is a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption that serves as a rule or code of conduct with habitual devotion to this subjective morally and ethically right standard. Thus, principles are a form of values (something intrinsically desirable).

Perhaps a real-world example is in order regarding the problem-solution dialect and how an apparent solution to a problem requiring answers has now resulted in a wicked problem. I now turn to the 2026 Iran war (euphemistically referred to as a campaign operation, hostilities, etc.).

At the apparent behest of Prime Minster of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, President of the United States (U.S.) Donald Trump initiated a war of aggression against combatants and noncombatants of Iran (Syria). In so doing, Israel and the U.S. have ostensibly engaged in war crimes.

As well, both nations have apparently engaged in terrorism (the use of violence against noncombatants to achieve political or ideological aims). To steel man the argument for this war, taking the position of Israel and the U.S., I suspect both nations would collectively state:

It is Iran that serves as a state sponsor of terrorism, as the hostile nation has continued enriching uranium with the plausible intentions of creating a nuclear weapon. Following the Twelve-Day War—during which the problem of possible nuclear capabilities was met with the solution of near-total destruction of Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon, Iran continued its hostilities.

This included bombardment of Israel, continued manufacturing of various types of missiles, and aggressive rhetoric and actions toward its own people, Israel, and the U.S. Therefore, both Israel and the U.S. needed to assassinate Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei.

However, after doing so, stability to the nation wasn’t guaranteed. This is due in large part to Mojtaba Khamenei having survived his assassination attempt, thus becoming the incumbent Supreme Leader of Iran after his father was essentially martyred by Israel and the U.S.

Following the initiation of a nearly full-scale war that ensued, Iran mostly closed the Strait of Hormuz to Israel, the U.S., and other key nations—impacting energy consumption for almost the entire globe. Also, Iran has continued defensive and offensive strikes.

Trump has expressed outrage about the problem-solution dialectic and the wicked problem by declaring “every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”

To summarize: The Strait of Hormuz was open before Israel and the U.S. initiated a war of aggression. When defending its sovereign territory, Iran then closed its waterway. Now, Trump is self-disturbing about a problem that he and Netanyahu created (i.e., the closed strait).

To be irreverently clear: Israel and the U.S.—both nations which do possess fucking nuclear weapons—inflexibly demanded that Iran can’t have nuclear weapons. Then, they bombed the shit out of combatants and noncombatants, committing war crimes and threatening more terror.

The problem-solution dialectic thus occurred when two hypocritically-behaving nations sought answers which then created a wicked problem. Now, consider that I stated on May 19, 2024, in a blogpost entitled Sufferance in the Face of Surly Sloganeering:

I discovered that the U.S. government was using mass surveillance on citizens when serving in the military in 1999 – two years prior to 9/11. Because he not only continued infringing upon the Fourth Amendment, though effectively terminated this protection, [George W.] Bush remains the least favorite president of my lifetime.

Practicing the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA)—major techniques of REBT, I’m able to tolerate and accept matters which are outside of my control and influence (e.g., wicked problems). Now, consider that I stated on January 21, 2025, in a blogpost entitled New Day:

Personally, I’m not self-disturbed by the idea of a Trump presidency any more than I could’ve upset myself throughout the past four years of [Joe] Biden’s presidency—the least favorite presidential administration of my lifetime. This helpful outcome is because I regularly practice REBT.

Continuing to daily practice REBT, I can admit that Trump’s second term has secured his position as the new least favorite present of my lifetime. About this matter, I’m healthily distressed (e.g., annoyed), though not unhealthily disturbed (e.g., enraged).

After all, I don’t want to create my own undesirable problem for which I could seek an unhelpful solution, and then cause an even more unpleasant wicked problem! Can you imagine!? Oh, wait.

I live in a country which is responsible for killing between 175 and 180 Iranian people, most of them girls between the ages of seven and 12, and Israel apparently condones violent abuse and rape of detainees. Of course the wicked problem is imaginable, because it’s currently happening.

Fortunately, I stay sane through use of REBT—especially when practicing Stoicism which is intertwined with UA. How about you? Presuming you don’t indulge escapism and avoidance, remaining indifferent to the suffering of others, how do you deal with wicked problems?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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