If a Captain trusts the FO to fly the aircraft - has faith or belief in the person, then is there any difference in the nature of ‘trust’ in automation?
JT's response:
Of course not, as a philosophical matter ... however, a pragmatic concern with the above statement relates to the competence with which the Captain can take over from a deteriorating situation (whether F/O or A/P) and save the day ... ?
Providing that the Captain understands and recognises the practical limits of competence of either his/her F/O or A/P ...
I wonder if this interesting question about different kinds of trust isn't worth exploring a little more, though. I suspect the trust we give to technology could well be of a different nature than that we give to other humans. Perhaps the error (if such it be) of assuming they are the same, gives rise to subtle dangers.
Let's say the GPS in one's car says the route takes the next turn to the left, but the spouse in the passenger seat insists it's in the opposite direction. Which way will you turn if faced with a snap decision?
(disclaimer: I don't have a GPS in my car - not that sad!)