Open AccessSocial Work and the Colonization of the Life-World
Author(s) -
Richard Pozzuto,
Paul K. Dezendorf,
Margaret ArndCaddigan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
critical social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1543-9372
DOI - 10.22329/csw.v7i2.5731
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , existentialism , argument (complex analysis) , sociology , epistemology , social constructionism , strict constructionism , cognition , social reality , work (physics) , social psychology , psychology , social science , computer science , engineering , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , mechanical engineering
This paper examines the effect of technical-rational social work practice upon the lived experience of recipients. The authors explore the influence of technical-rational practice upon the creation of reality from a social constructionist perspective. Kondrat’s (1992) argument for the construction of professional knowledge independent of a technical-rational approach and Rosen’s (1994) response provide a path into the material. The differences between the two views are explored by means of a discussion of theories of language and reality as well as the contrasting worldviews found in comparing existential versus behavioral approaches and strengths perspective versus cognitive-behavioral approaches to social work. The emphasis upon a technical-rational practice is identified as an element in the deformation of the symbolic structure of the life-world.