Abstract
A trusted person's life runs more smoothly than a distrusted one's. Trust is a compliment, distrust an insult. However, trust can be a burden when we suspect we're not up for the job or when we don't want to do the job. ‘Why trust and trustworthiness matter’ looks at the advantages of trusting well and the disadvantages of trusting poorly. What is a ‘high trust’ society like? How about a ’low trust’ society? How do we start trusting? We should aspire to trustworthiness and to wise trusting. Trust and trustworthiness matter and can form a self-reinforcing positive spiral. The reverse happens with distrust.
