The work of renowned psychoanalyst and social philosopher Erich Fromm explored the intricacies of social structures and human emotion. Though not in the conventional sense, he thought that love, like many other facets of life, could be viewed through an economic lens. Rather, he viewed relationships as interactions in which people attempt to optimize their gains within the framework of what they consider to be valuable.

Consider a busy marketplace where people trade goods according to perceived value and mutual agreement. Every individual in this market has something special to contribute, whether it be abilities, assets, or character traits. According to Fromm, people frequently look for romantic partners who can offer them the best advantages available to them. People in love may go through a similar process to make sure what they get is worth their investment, much like buyers and sellers in a marketplace bargain until they find a deal that works for both of them.

Although Fromm's perspective stresses that real affection and care go beyond a simple trade in goods or services, he also points out that many relationships can be viewed as a careful negotiating process in which each party seeks to maximize their own benefits based on what they believe they can contribute to the relationship. This emphasizes that people frequently seek out partners who complement them and give them both satisfaction, not that love is shallow or only materialistic.

Fromm's viewpoint forces us to reflect carefully on the character of our relationships and the methods we use to find friendship. He challenges people to consider what they really want from a relationship and whether their goals are reasonable and advantageous for both of them.