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September 5, 2025Open Access

Science Without Trust?

ÉMÉdouard MacheryRutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Key Points

The distinction between scientific trust and reliance is highlighted, showing that trusting others may hinder scientific progress.
The failure to differentiate trust from reliance can distort perceptions of scientists’ testimony and undermine communication.
This article argues for a model of scientific reliance that emphasizes independence among scientists for effective cooperation.
Understanding the nature of scientific reliance may enhance collaborative efforts and reduce misplaced trust in scientific assertions.

Abstract

Abstract It is often said that successful scientific research must be built on trust. Focusing on the alleged necessity of trust for successful scientific communication and thus for scientific cooperation (which underlies much of contemporary science), I argue that science mustn’t be built on trust. Appearances to the contrary come from a failure to distinguish different attitudes toward scientists’ testimony, in particular trusting and relying on other scientists. This article proposes an account of scientific reliance and explains how it differs from scientific trust; it also shows why this distinction matters for science.

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