Trust

In a social context, trust has several connotations.

Definitions of trust typically refer to a situation characterized by the following aspects: One party (trustor) is willing to rely on the actions of another party (trustee); the situation is directed to the future.

In addition, the trustor (voluntarily or forcedly) abandons control over the actions performed by the trustee.

As a consequence, the trustor is uncertain about the outcome of the others actions; they can only develop and evaluate expectations. The uncertainty involves the risk of failure or harm to the trustor if the trustee will not behave as desired.

Trust can be attributed to relationships between people.

It can be demonstrated that humans have a natural disposition to trust and to judge trustworthiness that can be traced to the neurobiological structure and activity of a human brain.

When it comes to the relationship between people and technology, the attribution of trust is a matter of dispute.

The intentional stance demonstrates that trust can be validly attributed to human relationships with complex technologies.

In sociology and psychology the degree to which one party trusts another is a measure of belief in the honesty, fairness, or benevolence of another party. The term “confidence” is more appropriate for a belief in the competence of the other party.

The words ‘trust’ and ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ are thrown around together with different definitions.

But here I’m talking about trust.

On our money it states: “In God We Trust”. Does that mean my one-dollar is worth one dollar because God will confirm the legal tender is worth 100 pennies that are guaranteed by so much metal worth? Or is that just faith?

We put our trust in purchasing goods. We trust that the price for the item is ‘fair’ and trust that the item will hold up long enough to prove it’s worth.

An employer will trust they made the correct decision when hiring on a brief conversation and some background papers.

An employee will trust that he or she will be treated fairly and with respect to perform whatever duties the employer assigns. The employee trust the task will be instructed, allowed to be performed in a safe environment. Faith is about the wages, or that maybe hope?

We trust the car we just purchased will adhere to the promises made by the dealership and not break down driving off the dealership’s lot.

We trust the brand name on the washer will guarantee the cleanest cloths on the block or just overflow?

We trust out girlfriend will always be thinking about us while going steady but the waxed ring can slide off. We trust our spouse will always be faithful (after taking an oath) but you didn’t read the second page.

Do you trust your neighbor with your lawnmower? Do you trust your friend borrowing your car? Do you trust a strange boy with your daughter?

When you go for a splash in the ocean do your trust your hotel key and wallet to be there when you return.

Do your trust your children’s safety at school? Do your trust your preacher?

Do you trust your friends who are invited for a cocktail party not to go through your medicine cabinet or your sock drawer?

Maybe trust is faith that the other person has morals and values similar to you and can be ‘trusted’. Trust should be earned and proven.