ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces epistemology and epistemological development in more depth. Epistemology is rarely mentioned in social work texts, although it is starting to appear in research methods and human behaviour texts. Epistemological development is critical for effective learning and development. Social work scholars agree there is dearth of material about epistemology in social work education and practice, yet it is vital concept. Epistemology refers to the study of knowledge and sources of knowledge. According to philosophy, learning is conceptualized as epistemology, or study of knowledge and beliefs about knowledge. Personal epistemology is term used to identify a person's beliefs about the complexity of learning and knowledge, processes of knowing, sources for knowledge, and justification of knowledge claims. According to Kuhn, at the realist level we believe that reality is directly knowable and consequently critical thinking becomes unnecessary. The absolutist level takes knowledge development a step further and maintains that beliefs about knowledge are dualistic knowledge is either right or wrong.
