Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work

What sort of science can be practised when scientific thought and research in the context of social work is unwilling to align with the prevailing (hegemonic) patterns of thinking? How can science open up a space that offers potentiality for the criticism of power (Herrschaft); a space for social im...

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Main Authors: Fabian Kessl, Susanne Maurer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Social Work & Society 2013-03-01
Series:Social Work and Society
Subjects:
Online Access:http://132.195.130.183/index.php/sws/article/view/1420
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author Fabian Kessl
Susanne Maurer
author_facet Fabian Kessl
Susanne Maurer
author_sort Fabian Kessl
collection DOAJ
description What sort of science can be practised when scientific thought and research in the context of social work is unwilling to align with the prevailing (hegemonic) patterns of thinking? How can science open up a space that offers potentiality for the criticism of power (Herrschaft); a space for social imagination? It is from these questions that we derive the following considerations on reflexivity as a central dimension of a critical scientific understanding of social work. As 'critical science' we define the systematic work of generating insights and analytic tools that can be used by members of society for their own and also for mutual insights. The aim of this process of enlightenment is thus the ability to make judgements and achieve positioning. The latter always means - formulated somewhat crudely - an 'ability to oppose' on the part of members of society, an ability to take a"counter-position". Only with this specification does a general definition of science become one of critical science.
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spelling doaj-art-4373c9be7f1c4cefbc0fa267897260142025-08-20T03:32:57ZengSocial Work & SocietySocial Work and Society1613-89532013-03-01102Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social WorkFabian KesslSusanne MaurerWhat sort of science can be practised when scientific thought and research in the context of social work is unwilling to align with the prevailing (hegemonic) patterns of thinking? How can science open up a space that offers potentiality for the criticism of power (Herrschaft); a space for social imagination? It is from these questions that we derive the following considerations on reflexivity as a central dimension of a critical scientific understanding of social work. As 'critical science' we define the systematic work of generating insights and analytic tools that can be used by members of society for their own and also for mutual insights. The aim of this process of enlightenment is thus the ability to make judgements and achieve positioning. The latter always means - formulated somewhat crudely - an 'ability to oppose' on the part of members of society, an ability to take a"counter-position". Only with this specification does a general definition of science become one of critical science.http://132.195.130.183/index.php/sws/article/view/1420borders
spellingShingle Fabian Kessl
Susanne Maurer
Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
Social Work and Society
borders
title Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
title_full Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
title_fullStr Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
title_full_unstemmed Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
title_short Radical Reflexivity as Key Dimension of a Critical Scientific Understanding of Social Work
title_sort radical reflexivity as key dimension of a critical scientific understanding of social work
topic borders
url http://132.195.130.183/index.php/sws/article/view/1420
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AT susannemaurer radicalreflexivityaskeydimensionofacriticalscientificunderstandingofsocialwork