ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book presents the relationship between theory and practice. It discusses the basic principles of existentialism and their relevance to social work. The application of existentialism to social work offers considerable scope for developing a social work which can make a major contribution to such a humanism. A number of theoretical approaches to social work were examined from the point of view of an existentialist critique. Many social work situations amount to problems relating to the existential project, the ongoing attempt to make sense of one's existence. Social work thinkers and practitioners should be warned of the dangers of slipping into positivism as a result of their misguided eagerness to achieve scientific or professional respectability. Existentialist social work should be wary of the distinct anti-intellectual tendencies in the social work world.
