So does the rise of online dating in our culture signal an embrace of self-indulgence? And does it come at the expense of long-term relationships? Nietzsche also said that instinctive judgments are misleading because they “pronounce their Yes and No before the understanding can speak.” Furthermore, to act impulsively is decadent and hedonistic, and these are “signposts to nihilism.” Arguing that society was heading toward nihilism – that is, a world without meaning, morals and values – Nietzsche thought that romantic love was frivolous, with friendship acting as a much stronger foundation for relationships.įrom a Nietzschean perspective, the rise of dating apps like Tinder, Hinge and Grindr that encourage us to “swipe” or judge potential lovers in a nanosecond could be cited as examples of a society that has become obsessed with pleasure and instant gratification. In the late 1800s, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche had a lot to say about love. More than 10 percent of American adults – and almost 40 percent of people who identify as “single and looking” – are using online dating websites and apps.īut what might someone from the 19th century think about this unique fusion of technology and romance? Online dating sites and apps are transforming relationships.