Episteme, 3(1–2), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.3366/epi.2006.3.1-2.109

Daukas, N. (2006)

This paper examines the relationship between trust and epistemology looking at how social location influences epistemic trust and how a person’s social positions impact their ability to trust others’ knowledge claims. Daukas approaches the subject by integrating theories of social epistemology with an understanding of the dynamics of social power and privilege. The paper posits that individuals’ social locations which encompasses factors such as race, gender, and class – inherently shape their epistemic perspectives and, consequently, their propensity to extend or withhold trust in others’ knowledge. She further argues that marginalized individuals often face a disproportionate burden of skepticism that leads to a systematic undervaluation of their knowledge; this perspective/analysis is crucial in understanding the dynamics of epistemic trust, as it highlights the role of social factors in shaping the epistemic landscape. Her paper contributes to the discourse on social epistemology and elucidates the intersection between trust and social justice. Her paper is broadens the understanding of trust, not merely as an individual cognitive process but as a social phenomenon that is deeply entrenched in the structures of power and privilege.