We have some of the strangest mating rituals in the animal kingdom as humans. Most species only associate with members of the opposite sex to procreate. Besides the continuation of the species, there is no emotional bond that binds them for the rest of their lives. That is not to say that all animals behave in this manner. Some species do mate for life, but the proportion of those types is small.

You could argue that many animals have mating rituals similar to ours. Male birds, for example, flaunt their colorful plumage in an attempt to attract a female, but is this dating or just a form of seduction? Isn't that what dates are all about, seducing someone we find attractive?

Dating is a form of seduction that is unique to humans. It may take much longer to achieve the desired results in some cases. Except for humans, dolphins, and some primates, there is a specific time of year when seduction and mating can occur; animals mate to perpetuate their species, not for the sake of pleasure. Most animals are motivated by the desire to survive as a species.

Humans have taken the dating/seduction ritual to unfathomable heights. Consider all the things we do to impress that special someone. And why should we try to impress them? Because we believe we like them, and if we don't push our hardest to seduce them using various dating tricks and techniques, someone else will, which is simply unacceptable.

So, what is the point of dating?

To make a good impression on someone, we'd like to date? On that one, I'd say yes. Although, I can't think of any other reason to spend that much time and money than to do so.

Ensure the survival of the human species? I must admit that this is a far more subjective question. Is there a need for more humans in the world? That's debatable. Most humans, I believe, do so for more selfish reasons, namely, to have someone succeeding us who will bear the family name into the future.

For the sake of amusement? Here's another way of looking at it. Meeting new people is exciting, especially if you are attracted to them. Dating is enjoyable, and it introduces us to entirely new ways of thinking about and approaching people.

So, what's the point of dating? That's a difficult question to answer, but whatever your reasons are, it's part of what makes us human.