In this Discussion, you explore different ways of knowing and their relationship to EBP in social work.
Describe two different ways of knowing. Which of these do you rely on and why? Provide an example. Then, describe the danger of professionals relying on just one way of knowing. What might be a consequence of this reliance?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Relationship Between Different Ways of Knowing and Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work
In social work, different ways of knowing contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). Two distinct ways of knowing are experiential knowledge and empirical knowledge. While both are valuable, relying on just one way of knowing can present risks and limitations. This discussion will explore these two ways of knowing, assess personal reliance, and highlight the dangers of depending solely on one way of knowing.
Experiential Knowledge
Experiential knowledge refers to knowledge gained through personal experiences, observations, and interactions. It is subjective and influenced by individual perspectives and interpretations. Social workers often rely on their own lived experiences, as well as the experiences of their clients, to inform their practice. Experiential knowledge is context-specific, allowing social workers to understand the unique needs of their clients and tailor interventions accordingly.
Example: A social worker specializing in addiction counseling may have battled substance abuse themselves. Their personal experience provides them with deep insights into the challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction. This experiential knowledge allows them to connect with their clients on a deeper level, empathize with their struggles, and offer more effective support.
Empirical Knowledge
Empirical knowledge, on the other hand, is based on objective facts, scientific research, and evidence. It involves gathering data, conducting studies, and analyzing findings to generate knowledge that is replicable and generalizable. Empirical knowledge forms the foundation of evidence-based practice, as it provides social workers with a solid framework rooted in research and proven effectiveness.
Example: A social worker working with children in foster care may rely on empirical knowledge to inform their interventions. Research studies on trauma-informed care and attachment theory provide evidence-based strategies for supporting children who have experienced neglect or abuse. By utilizing this empirical knowledge, the social worker can ensure their interventions are based on proven methods and have a higher likelihood of achieving positive outcomes.
Personal Reliance
As a social worker, I rely on both experiential knowledge and empirical knowledge. Understanding my clients’ lived experiences and perspectives allows me to connect with them on a deeper level and tailor interventions accordingly. However, I also recognize the importance of incorporating evidence-based practices into my work. By staying informed about the latest research in social work and related fields, I can ensure that my interventions are grounded in sound empirical knowledge.
Dangers of Relying on One Way of Knowing
Relying solely on one way of knowing can have detrimental consequences for social work practice:
Limited Perspective: Depending solely on experiential knowledge may lead to a narrow understanding of complex issues. Experiences vary widely, and without considering empirical evidence, social workers may overlook effective interventions or strategies.
Lack of Accountability: Relying exclusively on personal experiences can make it challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or justify decisions. Without empirical evidence, social workers may struggle to demonstrate the impact of their work or make informed choices based on proven best practices.
Stagnation and Resistance to Change: Over-reliance on one way of knowing can hinder professional growth and prevent social workers from adapting to new research findings or emerging trends. This resistance to change may result in outdated practices that do not align with current evidence-based recommendations.
Ethical Concerns: Ignoring empirical knowledge can potentially lead to unethical practices if interventions are not based on proven effectiveness or are harmful to clients. Social workers have an ethical responsibility to provide the highest standard of care, which is informed by evidence-based practice.
In conclusion, both experiential knowledge and empirical knowledge play crucial roles in social work practice. By integrating personal experiences with evidence-based research, social workers can provide effective interventions that are informed by both context-specific understanding and proven effectiveness. Relying solely on one way of knowing poses risks such as limited perspectives, lack of accountability, resistance to change, and ethical concerns. To ensure the best outcomes for clients, social workers should embrace a holistic approach that incorporates multiple ways of knowing.
