Hunhu/ubuntu philosophy as a guide for ethical decision making in social work

Abstract

Often social workers are confronted with situations that require ethical decision making. Due to knowledge hegemony social workers practicing among indigenous African communities may be forced to use western theories and models in solving ethical dilemmas. This paper argues that the ubuntu philosophy forms a strong grounding and scaffolding for ethical decision making among Africans. Most ubuntu ethics are compatible with social work principles, ethics and ethics theories. The ubuntu philosophy as a central philosophy in the lives of most Africans therefore becomes an important guiding tool for social work practitioners practicing in Africa.

Keywords: Ubuntu, ubuntu philosophy, ethical dilemma, ethical decision making, social work