Philosophy of Social Work: Historical Context and Philosophical Approaches

Study Notes

The philosophy of social work is a fundamental aspect of the profession, as it defines the values, principles, and goals that guide social workers in their practice. This field is constantly evolving, with new theories and approaches emerging to address the changing needs of society and the individuals it serves.

Historical Context

The origins of social work can be traced back to the Elizabethan Poor Laws of England and the Charity Organization Society (C.O.S.), which began in 1877 in Buffalo, New York. The C.O.S. represented an early attempt at scientific philanthropy, focusing on the scientific provision of charity through detailed investigations of applicants, centralized registration, cooperative relationships among member agencies, and the extensive use of volunteers.

Historically, social work has been shaped by several major practice issues, including the dilemmas of cause/function, social/psychological, and generic/specific. These dilemmas have led to the development of various models and methods of social work practice, which have been instrumental in addressing the needs of individuals and communities.

Philosophical Approaches

Cause/Function Dilemma

The cause/function dilemma centers around the primary purpose of social work. Proponents of social work as a cause view it as a social movement, prioritizing ideal purposes such as social reform and advocacy. However, ultimately, purpose must be translated into action, which brings us to the concept of function.

Social/Psychological Dilemma

This dilemma revolves around the focus of social work, whether it should address the individual or the environment. Specialists, such as psychiatric social workers, often emphasize concerns of function and favor a psychological perspective, while cause-oriented social workers tend to favor a social perspective.

Generic/Specific Dilemma

This dilemma pertains to the nature of social work practice, whether it should be generic (applicable in many different situations) or specific (tailored to a particular specialty). The history of social work has seen the emergence of field-specific social work professionals, such as psychiatric social workers, and the development of generalist practice to address the need for a flexible approach that can be applied in various settings.

The Love Ethic

One radical theory for social work practice is the love ethic, which emphasizes the importance of love in social work. By incorporating love into their practice, social workers can challenge the dehumanizing aspects of society and foster a more compassionate and equitable world.

Conclusion

The philosophy of social work is a complex and multifaceted field that continues to evolve in response to the needs of society. By understanding the historical context, philosophical approaches, and emerging theories that shape social work practice, we can better appreciate the role of social workers in promoting individual and societal well-being.

Description

Explore the historical roots and philosophical approaches that underpin the field of social work, including the cause/function dilemma, social/psychological dilemma, and generic/specific dilemma. Learn about the evolution of social work from the Elizabethan Poor Laws to modern-day theories like the love ethic.