THE ROLE OF HUMANITIES IN THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORKERS

In this paper I intend to demonstrate the importance of the humanities in the formation of social workers. In this context, I consider theories of justice, in order to determine the role of the University in the construction of a just society. As a consequence, I state the importance of the promotion of relations of recognition between citizens, from the standpoint of Axel Honneth. In order to prevent relations of disrespect, I consider it is important not to treat the other as a mere object, but to walk in the other's shoes. This is the reason why I consider Martha Nussbaum to be relevant, in her perspective based on the development of empathy through the education in arts and humanities. Nussbaum states that the aesthetic experience allows us to get in touch with our own emotional world, in order to then be able to grasp the other's inner being. Besides, the study of philosophy enables us to reconstruct the other's position and to see the world from the other's point of view. In this context I consider the need to develop a model of human development for the training of social workers, not only oriented toward the technical training, but broad enough to include the development of creativity and critical thinking, which are fundamental for the achievement of a full citizenship.