Can I Trust You?

This morning in my ENG 211 class (Rhetoric and Civ) we discussed the nature of argument, and how it can be said that all of human thought is essentially an argument. Thus, all of our interactions are arguments of some form or another. Then we spoke on how the essential question of all human interaction is the one that is the title of this post; that is, can I trust you?

Thinking about this, I began to ask myself what makes a person trustworthy. Trust is an interesting thing, both comforting and terrifying. In this same class, we are writing a paper about the most important questions to ask when evaluating an argument, and I think they can apply here as well.

One of the first questions is about the worldview of the person presenting the argument (or in this case, the person you wish to trust). I must look at what they believe and why? What do they desire? What is their morality and motivation for how they act? And, the most important question, is all of this consistent with the argument that they are presenting? To present an argument inconsistent with one's worldview is to present an evil argument, according to Cicero. If the speaker's worldview is consistent, then they are more likely to be trustworthy. I would add here a margin of error for someone's effort to change. If the person in question is endeavoring to improve, as long as their improvement is genuine, then they are more likely to be trustworthy.

Their motives are the most important aspect of this question. What do they want from me? What do I have to offer that they desire enough to choose to interact with me? Are they using me or do they truly care for my well-being?  Also, with these motives, if I were to accept their offer of trustworthiness, what would that mean for me? If I spend time with this person, what character will I adopt and why would they wish me to adopt such a character? Again, motives that are inconsistent with their professed beliefs are considered evil.

Another question has to do with evidence. With trust, all of the evidence will be anecdotal, of course. No one will have studies on themselves to present, with figures and calculations of their trustworthiness, and if they do, that would be more a cause for worry than trust. So I then must look at how this person interacts with others, and do others trust them? This is one of the strongest points in a person's favor or otherwise. If others trust this person, it sets a good precedent, meaning they are more likely to be someone I can trust.

Of course, these are only three of the questions that I ask myself when trying to trust someone, and mostly subconsciously. Yet that does not lessen their importance. I guess the point of all this is, be careful who you trust. Be sure they are consistent- I find when I am inconsistent, I cannot even trust myself. Be sure they do not have motives that would harm you. And above all, be sure that the character you would adopt is one that you want to adopt.