Utilitarianism In Social Justice

I .Definitions

The foundational value of social work is social justice. There has not been a clear cut definition of social justice, however many debates are centralized around whether social justice benefits the greater good (societal collective) or if social justice focuses primarily on an individual. Furthermore, questions are often asked as to whether social work should be based off of fairness; if so what is fairness defined as? (DuBois & Krogsrud 135). In order to understand the general concept of social justice one must understand that, “theoretical positions of social justice as fairness doctrine are essential for examining the interrelationships among principles of social justice, social work practice, and social policy advocacy”

These are the three categories from which social justice stems from according to the world of ethics. Libertarianism focuses on an individual’s rights and concerns of social justice. Utilitarianism is based off of the greater good. Utilitarianism is described as the way people receive the most happiness, it promotes happiness amongst people, and it is guided by actions that benefit the majority of the people. Egalitarianism encompasses that everyone has equality to various opportunities. Within the realm of social work all three stems of social justice are encompassed during sessions. Despite the many laws and rights given to individuals in America, such as, the civil rights and the human’s rights, these societal rights are still not followed by some citizens during day-to-day experiences. Societal isms are defined as “the prejudicial attitudes directed against groups that society identifies as “lesser” – less capable, less productive and less normal (DuBois & Krogsrud 137). The judgmental statements and actions posed against an ism causes the creation of stratified social structures, offering fewer opportunities, possibilities and resources

“Treat everyone the way you want to be treated” comes in effects with racial discrimination. Individuals creating the acts of racism do not understand the impact it has on the individual. The lack of values that individual do not possess contributes to the cause of some current racial acts; despite the many rules and regulations passed by the United States eliminating racism. DuBois and Krogarud state, “the values and ethical codes of NASW and IFSW clearly define human rights and social justice as practice imperatives” (155). Alongside the idea of values, recently empowerment has been seen to integrate social justice and human rights into the practice of social work (DuBois & Krogarud 155). On the three levels of practice under empowerment (micro, mezzo, and macro) a social worker contributes his/her effort to decrease racism. On a microlevel, a social worker may sit down with a family/individual to discuss the social justice/discrimination they have faced and the effects it is having on their daily life. On a mezzolevel, a social worker may take a community (a specific race) in a town and help create an organization that focuses on their ethnicity. For the largest level, macrolevel, a social worker may help pass a policy to change a certain racial discrimination being