For extensive reference material on problem solving see Concepts . Anyone who wishes to be fully informed on problem solving theory and research must study this material and the references given. A philosophical understanding of the present state of problem solving can be gained by studying the material in the web pages of Principia Cybernetica . A very useful Table of Contents of the material is provided. Specifically see Problem-Solving for epistemological considerations with respect to problem solving.
Problem solving provides a natural environment for learning.
It is indeed the primary mechanism by which advances in knowledge are made. The scope of this use is described on the web by Donald R. Woods . Though problem based learning, PBL, provides an environment well suited to learning concepts, it is of little value for problem solving per se. Concept based problem solving, CBPS, provides the how to needed to solve problems reliably. The solution of a problem is first addressed by identifying, or learning, the concept that provides the instructions for solving the problem.