TY - JOUR
TI - Utility, Empowerment and Social Work
AU - Maj, Janusz
TI - Utility, Empowerment and Social Work
AB - Social work utility can be considered a value helpful in achieving principles and objectives set forthe social assistance system in contemporary society. The concept of empowerment, on the other hand, interpreted in a spirit of individuals’ self-determination and social sensitivity, reminds us that lack of social recognition deprives individuals of subjectivity and self-determination. The paper points out interrelations between utility and empowermentin the field of social work, which can contribute to identification of the ethical dimension of social issues and help address and deal with social problems both in the overall context of the entire social assistance system and in local settings with respect for individual freedom. This occurs when utility is defined in a spirit of usefulness and practical application associated with action for the good of others, while the concept of empowerment insists that social work practice should not lose sight of the subjectivity of individuals and social groups in the context of their self-determination and self-direction.
VL - 2020
IS - Issue 5/2020
PY - 2020
SN - 2543-6104
C1 - 2719-485X
SP - 12
EP - 21
DO - 10.4467/25436104HS.20.001.13234
UR - https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/homo-et-societas/article/uzytecznosc-empowerment-i-praca-socjalna
KW - utility
KW - empowerment
KW - social work
KW - self-determination
KW - utilitarianism
KW - good for others.