On the Sartrean progressive-regressive method: a perspective for social work

Abstract

The article discusses an epistemological perspective generally omitted by Social Work especially when applying various biographical techniques. We refer to Sartre’s contributions as an expression of Marxist thought in the 20th century. The reflections that are synthesized, of a theoretical / methodological and techno / operational nature derive from our experience as researchers with biographical methods and do not refer to a specific project. The objectives of the article are: 1.- to feed the debate on the ways of thinking professional practices as a mediation between macroscopic and microscopic expressions of social life; 2. in this sense, underline the importance of establishing relationships between the singular and the universal as a way of not objectifying knowledge into universal and abstract categories and; 3. order some warnings or risks for those professionals who venture into the application of biographical techniques in an effort to understand human existence as an expression of the epochal spirit.