Trust Within ReasonSome 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. |
Contents
THE PARADOX OF TRUST | 1 |
TRUTH VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS | 5 |
THE PROBLEM OF TRUST | 10 |
THE ENLIGHTENMENT TRAIL | 14 |
NATURES PARADOXICAL TASK | 18 |
THE PERILS OF PRUDENCE | 26 |
FEAR | 29 |
SYMPATHY | 37 |
CONTRACTARIANS | 91 |
MORALITY IN TRUST | 98 |
ALL IN THE GAME | 105 |
ENLIGHTENMENT FOOTBALL | 106 |
THE GAMES OF SOCIAL LIFE | 110 |
REASON AND OBLIGATION | 117 |
THE BOND OF SOCIETY | 126 |
PROBLEMS OF COORDINATION | 128 |
THE CENTIPEDES STING | 44 |
THREE VIEWS ABOUT MORAL PSYCHOLOGY | 47 |
CENTIPEDES AND BACKWARD INDUCTION | 54 |
PRUDENCE IN PERIL | 60 |
A REMEDY IN THE JUDGEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING? | 63 |
PERILS OF STRATEGIC CHOICE | 66 |
IMPARTIALITY AND FAIRNESS | 71 |
FAIRNESS AND MORALITY | 82 |
PLAYING FAIR WITH KANT | 84 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abstract Adam and Eve Adam's answer backward induction better bond of society capable of promising chapter coins common Condorcet cooperate coordination depends desire/belief model economic Enlightenment Trail ethics expected utility Extra Trick felicific calculus final game theory generalised reciprocity Hence Hobbes honour human nature Hume Hume's idea ideally rational agents impartial individual instance instrumental rationality interests involves judgement and understanding justice Kant Kantian keep left liberal matter maxim maximisers moral point moral psychology motives mutual normative expectations notion numbers obligations outcome paradox passions pay-offs persons philosophical egoism play fair players point of view practical reason preferences Prisoner's Dilemma problem of trust prudence question rational agents rational choice theory reasons for action remedy rules self-interest sense Sensible Knave Social Contract strategic choice sympathy Theory of Justice thought tion Triumph of Reason trust within reason truth University Press utilitarian virtue and happiness