To know or not to know: A critique of postmodernism in social work practice

Abstract

Social work has as its essence a political analysis that directs practice towards the pursuit of social justice. Along the way we are confronted with new knowledges and critiques that help us question what we know, where we have come from and how we will proceed. For this reason we need to consider contemporary intellectual critiques such as Postmodernism and how this movement impacts upon social work practice as we move into the 21st century. This paper outlines the rationale for the radical questioning postmodernism poses to the foundationalism and absolutism of modern discourses. It will then outline how postmodern feminists extend postmodern thinking in its application of concepts to the women's movement and social work practice. Finally this paper will address the influence that postmodern thinking has upon social work practice with words of caution from a feminist perspective unaligned to the postmodernist movement.