This book investigates the fundamental nature of trust and its essential role in facilitating human cooperation. Paul Faulkner, a philosopher specializing in epistemology and social philosophy, examines the cognitive and moral dimensions of trusting others. He argues that trust is not merely a belief in reliability but a complex social attitude that sustains cooperative structures within society.

Experts in social philosophy frequently cite this work as a rigorous exploration of the epistemic foundations of trust. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those familiar with contemporary analytic philosophy.