
Caring for Strangers
An Introduction to Practical Philosophy for Student of Social Administration
David Watson(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 15. July 2025
Book
Hardback
154 pages
978-1-041-06796-2 (ISBN)
Description
Originally published in 1980, this book introduces students of social studies to ideas in moral, social and political philosophy which are useful for assessing social policy. At the same time the book enables philosophy students to discover the value of social and political philosophy beyond its traditional confines. The book begins with the claim that modern social welfare has to be thought of as help given to strangers and goes on to ask how services of this sort can be justified. The first part of the book discusses the distinction between social and economic policy. Using Titmuss' notion of 'the gift-relationship' it shows its implications for our understanding of social integration, alienation, community and the importance of moral status in social life. It then considers the justification of our ways of discriminating among strangers in our social policies. The idea of social justice and the implications of the 'work ethic' are examined, particularly in relation to our views of what help strangers need or deserve and the relationship between welfare rights and human rights is also discussed.
Reviews / Votes
Original Review of An Introduction to Practical Philosophy for Students of Social Administration:'David Watson has written an intelligent and welcome book...' R. Plant, Journal of Social Policy, Volume 11, Issue 1 (1982).
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
General, Postgraduate, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
341 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-06796-2 (9781041067962)
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

David Watson
Caring for Strangers
An Introduction to Practical Philosophy for Student of Social Administration
E-Book
07/2025
Routledge
€82.99
Available for download

David Watson
Caring for Strangers
An Introduction to Practical Philosophy for Student of Social Administration
E-Book
07/2025
Routledge
€82.99
Available for download
Content
Part 1: Social Policy and Moral Identity 1. Introduction 2. Social Policy and Economic Policy 3. Social Policy and Moral Obligations 4. Moral Obligations to Strangers 5. Economic Policy and Alienation 6. Social Policy and Integration Part 2: Discriminating Between Strangers 7. Introduction 8. Positive Discrimination and Social Justice 9. Discrimination and Social Control 10. Welfare and Human Rights Part 3: Social Welfare and Social Control 11. Introduction 12. Freedom from Welfare 13. Ethics and Behaviour Modification 14. The Idea of Childhood.