judicious-trust

While trust is necessary and cost-effective, it need not be blind; it is extended cautiously and adjusted based on experience.

1 chapter across 1 book

Epistemology: An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge (2003)Nicholas Rescher

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 explores the pragmatic importance of trust and cooperation in the acquisition and management of knowledge. It argues that while knowledge can confer power, monopolizing it is counterproductive, and mutual aid in information sharing is economically rational and beneficial. The chapter also draws an analogy between building epistemic trust and financial credit, emphasizing that trustworthiness is established incrementally through responsible behavior and that cooperation yields long-term benefits for individuals and communities.