From ontology to methodology: exploring the discursive landscape of trust

Abstract

Preamble In this introductory chapter we address the construct of trust and its discur-sive realisation from two related perspectives: an ontological perspective in which we focus on how trust has been conceptualised historically and philosophically , and a methodological perspective in which, taking account of this ontology, we highlight a range of inter-relatable methodologies in terms of which discourses of trust have been described, interpreted and explained. In both perspectives we suggest links to the chapters in the volume and thereby emphasise interrelationships between them. 0.1 Focus on the ontology: conceptualising trust Issues surrounding trust are foundational to people's lives in contemporary societies, a fact not merely and sharply highlighted by the recent history of interrelational practices associated with the financial markets, international security, marketing and public relations, but even more pervasively and ever-presently in the formation and maintenance of relationships among partners in the delivery, for example, of health and welfare services and in the public and private arenas of political and religious institutions. The thesis of this volume of invited chapters exploring the discourses of trust across a range of social domains is that trust-related and trust-bearing issues are central to our understanding of how the conduct of professional practices impacts on human relationships in social life.