Understanding Social Theory for Social Work

This article has attempted to deliberate on the various dimensions of social theory as a lens to social reality. Social theory provides 'sensitising conceptual schemes' to understand society, backed by epistemology. The sojourn displays paradigm shifts in comprehending the 'lifeworld', the antagonisms and contradictions inherent in society. The key to studied and reflexive practice in social work lies in building a base of ideologies and perspectives. These ideologies and perspectives draw their epistemic alignments from the array of discourses posited in social theory. The submission herein is that the internalising of social theory tenets thus becomes imperative to grasp ideologies and perspectives. In effect, there is a building onto positions in practice that then form a cogent whole. Some nuances of the connections with practice approaches have also been highlighted as a commencing point for further deliberations.