Philo-Tinder - find your philosopher match
Welcome to Philo-Tinder! Find your philosopher match!
Imagine if history’s greatest thinkers had Tinder—what would their profiles say? What beliefs would they share?
Your task: Swipe through their profiles, explore their ideas on happiness, freedom, and justice, and see which philosopher you "match" with.
Ready to find your intellectual soulmate? Let’s begin!
Friedrich Nietzsche, 45
Jean-Paul Sartre, 40
Albert Camus, 37
Viktor Frankl, 50
Immanuel Kant, 55
Arthur Schopenhauer, 60
Rate the match!
Evaluate the swiping selection on a scale from 1 to 5 (1: uninteresting/not a match at all, 5: very interesting/perfect match). Criteria can include persuasiveness, relevance, and practical applicability of the philosophical views. Create a well-reasoned ranking for yourself and then compare your results with your classmates.
Pick your match
It´s time to swipe! Who do you find most interesting? Whose philosophical views appeal to you the most? Choose a philosopher and give reasons for your choice.
Choose a person for your match and give reasons.
The first chat
It´s a Match! Imagine you are writing a message to the philosopher to find out more about their theory.
- Start the conversation: How would you introduce yourself? Which question would you ask first?
- Respond to answers: Think about how the philosopher would answer and write a suitable reply.
- Exchange ideas: Discuss what you like about their theory or what you would question.
You can also use ChatGPT for this and create a chatbot representing your match.
The first Chat
The perfect match – Who goes well together?
You’ve chosen a person, but the spark didn’t really fly. Help them find their perfect match among the other profiles. What similarities and differences do these individuals share? Who might be the best fit? Who could get along well with your match? Provide reasons for your choices.
The first date - What happens next? (Pair/Group work)
A randomly chosen match meets up. You’ll read the beginning. What happens next? Decide who will take on the role of each person. Put yourselves in the characters' shoes. Think about and write down how this first date unfolds: What questions are asked? How are they answered?
Existential Coffee Date
Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus met through a niche dating app for philosophers. They decided to meet at a quaint Parisian café, where the walls were adorned with abstract art and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.
Jean-Paul Sartre: So, Albert, you believe life is absurd. How do you find meaning in that chaos?
Albert Camus: I find it in the rebellion against that very absurdity, Jean-Paul. By embracing the struggle, we can find joy. Like Sisyphus pushing his boulder, don't you think?
Jean-Paul Sartre: Interesting. For me, it's about freedom. We are condemned to be free, and it's our choices that define our essence. Do you ever feel weighed down by that freedom?
Albert Camus: Sometimes. But I see it more as an opportunity. Even in the face of absurdity, we can create our own meaning. Isn't that what you meant by existence preceding essence?
Jean-Paul Sartre: Exactly. We start with nothing, and through our actions, we become something. It's both a burden and a gift. Do you think Sisyphus ever feels content?
Albert Camus: Perhaps, in his acceptance. It's in his defiance where he finds his freedom. Jean-Paul, do you think we can ever truly escape the weight of our choices?
How does the conversation continue? Discuss in pairs.
Now it´s YOUR turn!
Create a dating profile for a philosopher of your choice. Include their first name, age, a "slogan" or quote, as well as hobbies or a short "About me" description. What makes them special? Display your profiles in a gallery walk and exchange swipes!
This worksheet allows students to learn about key philosophical theories in a playful way and critically reflect on them. They engage with the views of various philosophers on topics such as the meaning of life or concepts of happiness, compare these perspectives, and form their own opinions. In the process, they develop both analytical skills and the ability to engage in argumentative discussions. Finally, students are encouraged to reflect on potential "matches" and write about a hypothetical first meeting.
