The Philosophical Foundations of Social Work

Frederic G. Reamer

December, 1995
Paper, 219 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-231-07127-7
$32.00 / £19.00

Although the field of social work has grown to encompass knowledge and understanding of such issues as mental illness, poverty, aging, substance abuse, and community development, the profession's philosophical foundations have gone largely unexamined. In The Philosophical Foundations of Social Work, Frederic Reamer explores basic assumptions regarding the purpose, method, and perspective on which the social work profession rests, and demonstrates their far-reaching implications for practice and research.

Beginning with an original and succinct assessment of political philosophy—specifically, the state's role in social welfare, distributive justice, equality, and welfare rights—Reamer turns his attention to major themes such as moral philosophy, logic, epistemology, and aesthetics.

While Reamer's philosophical framework is nuanced and sophisticated, he never loses sight of the practical applications of his theories in regard to casework, group practice, family intervention, social policy, and administration.—

Related Subjects

• Social Work

About the Author

Frederic G. Reamer is a professor in the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. He is the author of Social Work Values and Ethics, Social Work Malpractice and Liability, The Philosophical Foundations of Social Work, and Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service; co-author of Rehabilitating Juvenile Justice; and editor of AIDS and Ethics and The Foundations of Social Work Knowledge, (all published by Columbia). He is also the author of the recently published Ethical Standards in Social Work: Commentary on the NASW Code of Ethics.

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