Distrusting the Trustworthy

Karen Jones (The University of Melbourne)

Abstract: It is easy to see the damage done when we trust the untrustworthy, but no less damage can result from distrusting the trustworthy. This talk focuses on the problem of misplaced distrust. Sometimes, when trustworthiness is met with distrust the fault lies on the part of the trustworthy: though they are trustworthy, we want something more from them. We want them to take on some of the burden of helping us place our trust wisely by signaling who may count on them for what. Other times, the fault lies with the would-be truster who is deaf to perfectly well-sent signals. Prejudice works this way. Analysing the problem of misplaced distrust from both sides helps us identify which remedies are likely to work and which are likely to fail.