An Inquiry into Practice Wisdom

Abstract

Social work is unique among the social sciences in adopting the term practice wisdom. Why was the word wisdom chosen? Why didn't the terms practice knowledge or practical experience arise in its stead? This article examines various definitions of practice wisdom that have been previously offered. Then, turning to the work of Socrates, it examines the nature of wisdom. This leads to considering that the application of social work values, over that of efficacy of interventions, is what lies at the heart of practice wisdom.