Philosopher's Zone Trust, risk and experts
Jul 18, 2021
Kate Hughes, an independent scholar specializing in industrial and post-industrial society, dives into the shrinking public trust in experts and its implications amidst a risk-laden world. She discusses how experts should effectively communicate risk while navigating the complexities of social versus systems trust. Hughes presents a culinary analogy to illustrate the shift from familiar personal relationships to the reliance on complex systems in society. The dialogue emphasizes the need for transparency and critical engagement to bridge the gap between science and public understanding.
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Luhmann's Trust Types
- Nicholas Luhmann distinguished between social trust and systems trust, crucial for understanding modern complexity.
- Social trust is among familiar people, while systems trust relies on competence in complex systems.
Butcher vs. Supermarket Meat Trust
- Buying meat from a local butcher relies on social trust through personal relationship.
- Supermarket meat relies on systems trust due to complex technology-driven supply chains.
Trust and Distrust Coexist
- Trust and distrust coexist and are not opposites but serve different social functions.
- Trust reduces uncertainty, while distrust enables critical discourse between experts and non-experts.