Abstract

Starting from the assumption of a fundamental vulnerability on the part of humankind, this article deals with trust as an anthropological universal under the conditions of the Anthropocene. Human beings depend on cooperation in order to be viable, and trust facilitates such cooperation. Trust is also needed for the purpose of meeting the challenges posed by the Anthropocene. Accepting our planetary boundaries and the massive societal transformation this necessitates, the article posits that trust in the capabilities of humankind to shape its future is both inevitable and a challenge when it comes to dealing responsibly with the uncertainties of the Anthropocene.