Some dangers of applying knowledge in social work practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT The following question was posed, has social science research helped or harmed us? Social work research was used for the purpose of illustration. Three hazards of applying social work basic research were outlined: (1) It is bias (reflecting the left-leaning values of many academics) and leads to the reduction in our freedoms; (2) the social work bias is rooted in a supposed moral high ground called social justice; and (3), the voice of the non-academics becomes deflated, as epistemic elitism is used to foist views upon us by the political class, undermining common cultures. On the heels of the three points, conclusions were offered to consider if any moderating factors exist to address the concern about the loss of freedoms discussed.