Values and knowledge: Critical issues in the development of social work education in China

Abstract

This paper explores the foundation of social work. The authors argued that social work has to be defined in terms of its values and knowledge. Two major approaches to social work knowledge- logical positivism and hermeneutics- are compared, It was found that both contribute to social work knowledge building and although they represent two different ways of thinking. They can be both compatible and complimentary. The authors used this point of view as a basis for discussing the development of social work and social work education in China. They found that social work in China is largely dominated by positivism and an adherence to socialist values. This leads to an emphasis on explaining social phenomena and resolution of social conflicts on a macro level but imposes limitations on the development of techniques used at the individual level. While rejecting a mere copy of the Western philosophy and approach, it is suggested that China should choose an alternative direction for future development-an effort to input Western concepts and techniques and to seek to balance to its epistemology, value bases, functions and techniques.