西方社会工作理论的神学思想起源——以神学家托马斯·冯·阿奎那为例

The Theological Origins of Western Social Work Theory:Taking Theologian Thomas von Aquin as an Example

西方社会工作理论形成的共同学科根源是神学和哲学。中世纪晚期神学家和经院哲学家托马斯·冯·阿奎那的神学思想,可以被视为西方社会工作的思想、伦理和价值观起源。他提出的“爱他人”的仁爱思想作为一种基督教伦理,成为当代专业助人行为的价值观基础。他的观点也影响“基督教社会学说”几百年之久,其三大原则之一“辅助性原则”阐明个体、家庭、社会、国家四个社会单元之间的逻辑关系,成为当今西方发达国家构建社会保障和社会工作的基本原则。

Western social work theory primarily stems from the theological and philosophical teachings of the late medieval scholar,Thomas Aquinas.His ethos of Christian benevolence,encapsulated in the principle of“loving others,”forms the foundational values of contemporary social assistance behaviors.The benevolence thought of“loving others”proposed by him,as a Christian ethics,has become the value foundation of contemporary helping behavior.Thomas derived the“Creed of Giving alms or Helping the Poor”from the“Creed of Benevolence and Mercy”,inspiring people to help those in need.His advocacy of“benevolence,mercy,giving alms and helping the poor”does not only refer to helping people with blood,but also includes helping strangers without blood or acquaintance relationships.Based on the Bible,Thomas established a system of charitable acts from the perspectives of human physical instinct and spiritual nature,dividing charitable acts into seven physical acts of kindness and seven spiritual acts of kindness.