So my collegue at work told me he was using dating apps, and the girl after a short while, the girl was ghosting him. It was fine to be rejected, but the way how it happend wasnt that nice. While thinking for a topic for my philosophy series, Kant came to my mind:
Imagine if Immanuel Kant, the revered philosopher known for his stern moral framework, had access to Tinder. Picture him swiping left on potential ethical dilemmas instead of a parade of selfies and clever bios.
Kant's Categorical Imperative is the backbone of deontological ethics—it's about doing what's right because it’s intrinsically good, not for any personal gain. In the dating app world, this means swiping with integrity—and no ghosting! If Kant were alive today, he'd probably advise us to consider every swipe as a moral duty, where each match is a potential partner and not just another profile in our digital queue.
Let's break it down: if everyone treated dating apps like Kant advised, we'd end up with a society of respectful, honest daters. But here’s the twist—Kant might also be asking you to consider your own intentions on these platforms too. It would mean no catfishing, no using people for attention or validation, and definitely no turning the app into a dating wild-west where anything goes.
Now consider Kant's idea of treating others as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end. In practical terms, this means you should be treating your Tinder matches with respect and authenticity. If everyone did that, perhaps there would be fewer awkward first dates or disappointments at first meetings. Who knows? The love life of humanity might improve drastically if we just applied some Enlightenment thinking into our swipe culture.
So the next time you swipe right on a profile picture or match with someone, remember the principles Kant laid down centuries ago: Treat others well because it’s morally good to do so and not for any personal advantage. Your dating life will surely see an ethical upgrade. And honestly I generally helps in life not to be an ***hole. .. Nuff said.
Its been a pleasure like always, all the best to you and happy Hiving :)
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