You can find out what qualities you like in women by being friends with them. No need to date. And you can find out what qualities you like in a partner by collaborating with anyone, man or woman. You can find out what qualities you like in a housemate by living with people. You'll need a date to figure out what you like sexually, and in a few other area, but you can (and should) get a pretty good base understanding of what you're looking for without dating.

Why on earth not? Various networks offer anybody the opportunity to go on many first dates with many people. It takes some effort, and you have to learn how to come across well & take good photos & stuff, but few people have all doors shut to them.

I see you commented elsewhere you get few matches- why is that? Figure that out, fix that. Dating isn't take-it-or-leave-it, it's a life journey that most certainly includes working on yourself.