The Moral Psychology of Trust

The Moral Psychology of Trust examines trust from various perspectives and explores its connection to emotions, conditions, and its role in intellectual, moral, and political lives. It applies theoretical perspectives to current issues such as social oppression, technology, conspiracy theories, medical ethics, and interpersonal relationships.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Trust is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction and is essential for the functioning of large-scale social cooperation and democracy. However, in recent years, there has been a growing concern about the decline of trust in society. The Moral Psychology of Trust, edited by David Collins, Iris Vidmar Jovanovic, and Mark Alfano, explores trust from various perspectives in philosophy and the social sciences. The contributors examine the nature of trust, its connection to other emotions, and the conditions under which it is good to be trusting and trustworthy. They also discuss the role of trust in our intellectual, moral, and political lives. The chapters apply theoretical perspectives on trust to a range of current issues, such as social oppression, trust and technology, trust and conspiracy theories, the place of trust in medical ethics, and the ethics of trust in interpersonal relationships.

One of the key themes of the book is the distinction between trusting and trusting others. Trusting involves placing one's trust in another person or entity based on their perceived reliability, integrity, and benevolence. On the other hand, trusting others involves placing one's trust in a system or institution, such as a government or a financial institution, based on its perceived reliability and integrity.

The book argues that trusting others is generally a good thing, as it allows us to cooperate and achieve common goals. However, trusting others can also be risky, as it can lead to betrayal, harm, or exploitation. The authors argue that it is important to be wary of trusting others and to take steps to protect ourselves from potential harm.

One of the ways to protect ourselves from potential harm is to develop a sense of trustworthiness. This involves being honest, transparent, and reliable in our interactions with others. It also involves being aware of our own biases and prejudices and working to overcome them.

Another way to protect ourselves from potential harm is to establish clear boundaries and expectations in our relationships. This involves setting clear rules and guidelines for how we will interact with each other and what we expect from each other. It also involves being willing to enforce these boundaries and expectations when necessary.

However, establishing clear boundaries and expectations can be challenging, especially in relationships that are characterized by power imbalances or conflict. In these situations, it may be necessary to seek professional help or to work towards building a more equitable relationship.

The book also discusses the role of trust in our intellectual, moral, and political lives. Trust is essential for the functioning of democratic institutions, as it allows citizens to trust their government and other political leaders. Trust is also essential for the functioning of the legal system, as it allows individuals to trust that the legal system will treat them fairly and justly.

However, trust can also be undermined by corruption, fraud, and other forms of misconduct. The book argues that it is important to address these issues and to hold those who engage in misconduct accountable.

In conclusion, The Moral Psychology of Trust is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the nature of trust and its role in our social, moral, and political lives. The book argues that trusting others is generally a good thing, but that it is important to be wary of trusting others and to take steps to protect ourselves from potential harm. By developing a sense of trustworthiness and establishing clear boundaries and expectations in our relationships, we can build a more equitable and just society.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666921595