ABSTRACT
The social sciences are concerned essentially with systems of interaction, either within the individual (the field of psychology), or between individuals and things (including persons) outside themselves (the fields of sociology, economics, etc.). The major implication-as the modern philosophical concern with language has shown-is that the social scientist's ideas of reality, no less than the layman's, are given to him by the language that he uses. Social work is based upon commitment as well as science and directed towards social action rather than the gaining of knowledge for its own sake. In this chapter, the author have paid attention to some of the theoretical issues raised in teaching social work students. Although social work has developed various mechanisms, such as supervision, consultation and case discussion, which aim to bring together therapeutic investment and scientific objectivity, the tension between these two elements in social work is unlikely to be eliminated. .
