Introduction

Community-based work (CBW) is usually thought of as a very pragmatic affair. But, as noted throughout this volume, a very important philosophical shift is essential to CBW. The Introduction outlines this change in philosophy along with the implications this maneuver has for planning, implementing, and evaluating research and other interventions. The basic idea is that CWB is non-dualistic, and this new philosophical orientation alters how communities should be approached. The problem, however, is that this philosophical discussion is regularly overlooked when community-based initiatives are undertaken. The aim of this volume is to rectify this shortcoming and tie this community-based philosophy to practice.