Trust, and how we relate to our fellow man, forms part of the “glue” that holds our society together. Without trust, governments could not rule, people cannot work co-operatively together and partners cannot marry.

In this section we examine some of the philosophers mentioned in On Trust and Philosophy in detail. Throughout history, philosophers have examined the human condition, and invariably the issue of trust arises in their works. We start with one of the fathers of philosophy, Plato, in Trust in Plato’s Republic.

Thomas Hobbes, the English political philosopher thought that if we lived without a state, our lives would be ‘solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short’. In Trust and the State of Nature we examine Hobbes, and find out what was meant by the state of nature.

Scottish Philosopher David Hume took a more kindly view of human relationships than Hobbes. Do we have a natural ‘sympathy’ towards others? Hume on Trust outlines his views.

Immanuel Kant’s influential thinking has inspired many contemporary philosophers, including Onora O’Neill. Kantian Trust explores his work on morals, informed consent and human dignity.

Central to many of these ideas on trust is a concept called ‘the social contract’. The Social Contract explains what it is and examines the relationship between government and the people.

Why are we facing a crisis of trust? Is the use of modern technology in monitoring our daily lives causing a rift in the social contract? Technology and Trust raises provocative questions about the modern condition.

Content last updated: 01/04/2002