
Social Work and Social Philosophy
A Guide for Practice
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 1. October 2025
Book
Hardback
146 pages
978-1-041-12459-7 (ISBN)
Description
With the role of the social services increasingly being questioned, the values and general principles of social work are attracting considerable attention. First published in 1985, Social Work and Social Philosophy looks at the issues involved and provides social workers with a conceptual framework for understanding and analysing the moral and political questions that are inextricably linked to the practice of social work.
Giving a practice-based analysis of the moral problems facing the social worker in day-to-day professional activity, the authors discuss the meaning and application of several centrally important topics from the language of social work values in the light of major theories from social philosophy. The subjects covered include: the person, rights and duties, self-determination, professional ethics, social work theory, ideology.
While the treatment is philosophical, the topics raised are highly pertinent to everyday social work practice, and the book is written for an audience primarily interested in practice rather than philosophy for its own sake. The issues raised are relevant to other welfare professions, for whose practitioners the book will also be useful.
Giving a practice-based analysis of the moral problems facing the social worker in day-to-day professional activity, the authors discuss the meaning and application of several centrally important topics from the language of social work values in the light of major theories from social philosophy. The subjects covered include: the person, rights and duties, self-determination, professional ethics, social work theory, ideology.
While the treatment is philosophical, the topics raised are highly pertinent to everyday social work practice, and the book is written for an audience primarily interested in practice rather than philosophy for its own sake. The issues raised are relevant to other welfare professions, for whose practitioners the book will also be useful.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
430 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-12459-7 (9781041124597)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2025
Routledge
€73.99
Available for download

E-Book
11/2025
Routledge
€73.99
Available for download
Persons
Chris L. Clark is Professor Emeritus at the Edinburgh University. From 2000 to 2003 he was Head of Social Work at the university. From 2004 to 2008 He was Dean of Postgraduate Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Science. His research interests include professional ethics and knowledge.
Stewart Asquith was a leading academic researcher and international activist in the field of children's rights.
Stewart Asquith was a leading academic researcher and international activist in the field of children's rights.
Content
Introduction 1. The person and moral agency 2. Rights, self-determination, paternalism and authority 3. Moral and political theory in social work 4. Professional ethics and politics 5. Ideology in social work