Introduction to postmodernism, religion and the future of social work

Social workers are beginning to use many of the concepts, perspectives and beliefs of postmodern philosophy even though clearcut definitions of it and specific guidelines for practice have not been developed. Their motivation in this regard is based on the recognition that contemporary social work practice has many epistemological and existential problems and they are turning to postmodernism to make sense out of a world that has become increasingly chaotic under conditions of modernity. In turning to a new set of beliefs they view reality not only in terms of what has gone before, defined by terms such as “post�? industrial and “post�? modern, but also in terms of a world view that is emerging along indeterminate and ambiguous lines. Because postmodernism is rapidly assuming a more prominent place in social work this special edition was designed to analytically explore several of the issues that are inherent to the perspective.