Trust within reason / Martin Hollis.

"Based on the inaugural series of A.C. Reid Lectures in philosophy at Wake Forest University"--Title page verso

Includes bibliographical references (pages 164-168) and index.

1. The paradox of trust. Truth, virtue and happiness. The problem of trust. The Enlightenment Trail. Promises, promises: nature's paradoxical task -- 2. The perils of prudence. Plan of the book. Fear. Sympathy -- 3. The centipede's sting. Three views about moral psychology. Centipedes and backward induction. Conclusion: prudence in peril -- 4. A remedy in the judgement and understanding? Perils of strategic choice. Impartiality and fairness -- 5. Fairness and morality. Playing fair with Kant. Contractarians. Morality in trust -- 6. All in the game. Prelude: Enlightenment football. The games of social life. Reason and obligation -- 7. The bond of society. Problems of coordination. Trust in miniature: teamwork.

Print version record.

Some philosophers hold that trust grows fragile when people become too rational. They advocate a retreat from reason and a return to local, traditional values. Others hold that truly rational people are both trusting and trustworthy. Everything hinges on what we mean by 'reason' and 'rational'. If these are understood in an egocentric, instrumental fashion, then they are indeed incompatible with trust. With the help of game theory, Martin Hollis argues against that narrow definition and in favour of a richer, deeper notion of reason founded on reciprocity and the pursuit of the common good. Within that framework he reconstructs the Enlightenment idea of citizens of the world, rationally encountering, and at the same time finding their identity in, their multiple commitments to communities both local and universal.

English.

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