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Post-anthropocentric Social Work

Transformative Philosophy for Contemporary Theory and Practice

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Social Work Theory and Ethics

Part of the book series: Social Work ((SOWO))

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Abstract

Social work, as a profession and as an academic discipline, is based on principles of respect for diversity, equity, beneficence, non-maleficence, and collective responsibility. Through critical reflection on systems of structural oppression, social work aims to resist oppression through transformative action and to work for sustainable improvements to wellbeing and justice for all. From an affirmative, creative, and hopeful stance, this chapter explores post-anthropocentrism and posthumanism as transformative paradigms for evolving contemporary social work. Before engaging with these paradigms, the modernist, anthropocentric foundations of conventional mainstream social work are considered in the context of persistent global inequities and injustices. A rationale for the transformation of social work is then articulated as the foundation for a reimagined future for the evolving profession, beyond the Anthropocene. Using relational ethics as a compass, key aspects of transformative social work are conceptualised drawing from post-anthropocentric and critical posthumanist theory. To close the chapter, some broader implications are explored including the possibilities as well as challenges for post-anthropocentric social work in the twenty-first century.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    Karen Bell

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  1. Karen Bell
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Correspondence to Karen Bell .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, Australia

    Dorothee Hölscher

  2. School of Social Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Richard Hugman

  3. School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, Australia

    Donna McAuliffe

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Bell, K. (2023). Post-anthropocentric Social Work. In: Hölscher, D., Hugman, R., McAuliffe, D. (eds) Social Work Theory and Ethics. Social Work. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3059-0_6-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3059-0_6-2

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-3059-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-3059-0

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Post-anthropocentric Social Work
    Published:
    23 November 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3059-0_6-2

  2. Original

    Post-anthropocentric Social Work
    Published:
    09 August 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3059-0_6-1

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