Professionalism, postmodern ethics and the global standards for social work education and training

Abstract

In this article I deal with some of the inherent modernist and positivist notions underscoring the Global Standards for Social Work in relation to professionalism and codes of ethics. The dominant notions of professionalism derive from modernity's positivist embracing of factors such as detachment in "social worker-client" relationships, neutrality, the social worker as expert, scientific standards of truth, experimentation and universal laws. I raise questions about the sources of ethical practice and the place of ethical codes in relation to the moral impulse. I also question whether or not social work should consider making responsibility for, and "being for", the "Other" normative in social work.