Word dimensionality expansion: trust

There is a suprising amount of variation present in the statement: “I trust them”.

I particularly notice this tension in regards to certain politicians. I frequently hear people utter the refrain: “they are someone we can trust”. And on one hand, I can actually empathize with that statement. There’s a certain resonant quality to it that is hard to deny (which is why it’s sticky). In some sense you can trust them. But on the other hand, at the same time, said politicians are of such low character and integrity, regularly cheating and lying, that how can it possibly be true that they are deserving of trust?

Enter the dimensionality expansion of trust.

You can expand trust on 3-axes. And weigh someone’s trustworthiness as being weak/normal/strong along any particular axis. (In some sense, turning the expression of trust into placing that trust somewhere in a 3x3x3 cube)

  • trust as predictability - can i trust them to do what they say - can i run a “Person [X] simulator in my head and it’s fairly predictive” - functional trust - operational predictability
  • trust as integrity - can i trust them to do what’s right even when nobody is watching - tell the truth even when it’s hard - not lie - strong character - moral confidence
  • trust as benevolence - can i trust them to act in my own best interests

It will be obvious to most that predictability - while still a form of trust - is of a lower form and quality to the others. In fact, it does a slight disservice that we use the same word, “trust” for them all.

But an abiding trust, the kind of trust that spikes in all 3 axes, is so much stronger. The faith in character.

You can smoosh together some latin words - totus fiducia (total faith) - that may or may not be valid latin - but expresses the concept well. The trust that is above reproach.

The kind of trust expressed in this interview with Dave Portnoy that feels so rare these days.