some forms of trust某些形式的信任.pdfVIP

Information 2011, 2, 1-16; doi:10.3390/info2010001 OPEN ACCESS information ISSN 2078-2489 /journal/information Article Some Forms of Trust Willem A. deVries Philosophy Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA; E-Mail: Willem.devries@ Received: 11 November 2010; in revised form: 25 November 2010 / Accepted: 14 December 2010 / Published: 10 January 2011 Abstract: Three forms of trust: topic-focused trust, general trust, and personal trust are distinguished. Personal trust is argued to be the most fundamental form of trust, deeply connected with the construction of one’s self. Information technology has posed new problems for us in assessing and developing appropriate forms of the trust that is central to our personhood. Keywords: trust; reliance; personal relations; betrayal; affective commitments; autonomy; blind faith 1. Introduction: Trust and the Challenge of IT Trust is one of the foundations of human action. Every well-functioning person counts on relationships of trust with other people, social institutions, and even objects or artifacts. To be thrust into a world where none can be trusted is either a horrible punishment or an outright tragedy; it is dehumanizing. To be surrounded by trusted people and institutions, in contrast, is to be feel fully at home in the world, secure yet open to novelty and innovation. Most of us live neither in