Postmodernism: A Dead End in Social Work Epistemology

Abstract

Postmodernism continues to have a detrimental influence on social work, questioning the Enlightenment, criticizing established research methods, and challenging scientific authority. The promotion of postmodernism by editors of Social Work and the Journal of Social Work Education has elevated postmodernism, placing it on a par with theoretically guided and empirically based research. The inclusion of postmodernism in the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education and its 2015 sequel further erode the knowledge-building capacity of social work educators. In relation to other disciplines that have exploited empirical methods, social work’s stature will continue to ebb until postmodernism is rejected in favor of scientific methods for generating knowledge.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Caputo

Richard Caputo is professor at Yeshiva University. William Epstein is professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. David Stoesz is formerly professor and director at the University of Illinois Springfield. Bruce Thyer is professor at Florida State University.

William Epstein

Richard Caputo is professor at Yeshiva University. William Epstein is professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. David Stoesz is formerly professor and director at the University of Illinois Springfield. Bruce Thyer is professor at Florida State University.

David Stoesz

Richard Caputo is professor at Yeshiva University. William Epstein is professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. David Stoesz is formerly professor and director at the University of Illinois Springfield. Bruce Thyer is professor at Florida State University.

Bruce Thyer

Richard Caputo is professor at Yeshiva University. William Epstein is professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. David Stoesz is formerly professor and director at the University of Illinois Springfield. Bruce Thyer is professor at Florida State University.