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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

Slogan: „To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.“ What I particularly like: Challenging conversations, deep philosophical debates, nature hikes. About me: I believe that life has no inherent meaning, and it is up to each individual to create their own purpose. Through the concept of the Übermensch, I encourage others to rise above conventional morality and societal norms, to live authentically and passionately. Embrace your inner strength and transform your life's challenges into personal growth and triumph. Match with me if you are ready to explore the depths of your potential and redefine your own meaning of life.

Jean-Paul Sartre, 40

Slogan: „Existence precedes essence.“ What I particularly like: Existential discussions, literature, coffee shop conversations. About me: For me, life is about the freedom to choose and create one's own essence. We are born without a predetermined purpose, and it is through our actions and decisions that we define who we are. Authenticity and responsibility are key themes in my philosophy. Embrace your freedom and take ownership of your life's narrative. Match with me if you are ready to live authentically and explore the freedom of creating your own path.

Albert Camus, 37

Slogan: „The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart.“ What I particularly like: Deep conversations, the absurd, philosophical literature. About me: I see life as inherently absurd, but it is this very absurdity that gives us the opportunity to find our own meaning. Through the myth of Sisyphus, I illustrate that we must imagine Sisyphus happy, finding purpose in the struggle itself. Embrace the absurd and find joy in your journey. Match with me if you are ready to confront the absurdity of existence and discover your own meaning in the struggle.

Viktor Frankl, 50

Slogan: „When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.“ What I particularly like: Meaningful conversations, resilience, helping others find purpose. About me: I believe that the primary drive in life is to find meaning. Even in the face of suffering, we can find purpose by choosing our attitude towards our circumstances. Through logotherapy, I help others discover meaning through love, work, and suffering. Embrace the search for meaning, and transform your life through purpose. Match with me if you are ready to find deeper meaning in your life and overcome challenges with resilience.

Immanuel Kant, 55

Slogan: „Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.“ What I particularly like: Ethical debates, rational discussions, long walks in nature. About me: I believe that the meaning of life is found in living according to moral principles and the categorical imperative. We must act in ways that can be universally applied, respecting the dignity and autonomy of all individuals. Through reason and duty, we can lead a meaningful and morally upright life. Match with me if you are ready to explore the depths of ethical living and the principles that guide our actions.

Arthur Schopenhauer, 60

Slogan: „Life is a constant process of dying.“ What I particularly like: Deep philosophical debates, music, solitude. About me: I view life as driven by the will to live, which often leads to suffering and dissatisfaction. However, through art, compassion, and asceticism, we can find moments of respite from the relentless will. Embrace the reality of suffering and seek solace in the beauty of art and the practice of compassion. Match with me if you are ready to face the harsh truths of existence and find meaning in moments of beauty and empathy.

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!

Personalize the worksheet

Choose a central philosophical topic for your students.

Philo-Tinder - Find Your Philosopher Match

Objective: The overarching learning objective of this worksheet is to playfully engage with philosophical ideas and thinkers by simulating a dating app ("Philo-Tinder") to develop a deeper understanding of their theories and views on happiness, freedom, and justice.

Content and Methods: The worksheet introduces philosophers with fictional "dating profiles" that summarize their slogans, interests, and core ideas. Learners are prompted to "swipe" these profiles and select a "favorite match." They are also asked to evaluate the profiles based on their persuasiveness and relevance, and to justify their choices. The worksheet also includes tasks for dialogue simulation, where learners develop a chat conversation with a chosen philosopher and continue a given dialogue. Finally, a creative task is provided, in which learners design their own dating profile for a philosopher of their choice.

Competencies: Philosophical understanding: comprehending and interpreting complex philosophical theories and concepts. Critical thinking: analyzing and evaluating philosophical views, justifying one's own position. Creativity: designing original profiles and dialogues. Communication skills: discussing and exchanging ideas in partner and group work. Written expression: formulating justifications, dialogues, and profile texts.

Target Audience and Level:

Grade 7 and above

Personalize the worksheet

Choose a central philosophical topic for your students.

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Sample solutions to all exercises.

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