Philosophers have pointed out that trusting relationships are ubiquitous. However, attitudes of distrust are also common, especially in contexts of oppression. Members of marginalized and historically oppressed groups often have distrust towards state institutions such as the criminal justice system; and there is also often public distrust towards members of marginalized and historically oppressed groups. I argue that there is a distinctive attitude that characterizes distrust:  an unwillingess to be vulnerable. This attitude characterizes distrust both on the part of members of minorities and on the part of the public towards minorities. I contrast my account with other accounts of distrust in the philosophical literature.

Bio
Natalie Stoljar is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies at McGill University. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Equity, Ethics and Policy, Faculty of Medicine. Her research expertise is in feminist philosophy, social and political philosophy, and the philosophy of law. She has published numerous articles and book chapters in these areas and is also co-editor (with C. Mackenzie) of Relational Autonomy. Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency and the Social Self (OUP 2000) and (with K. Voigt) of Autonomy and Equality. Relational Approaches (Routledge 2022).