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The controversy between two sets of social work researchers and theorists has the potential to split the profession into warring camps. Both sides have cloaked their arguments in philosophical constructs that may not be familiar to practitioners. This article translates the discussion into straightforward language and suggests that the advocates of the "pure" science approach have the weaker position because they have made a pseudoreligion out of science.

Complexity theory, better known as chaos theory, has much to offer social work as a frame of reference for dealing with the uncertainty that characterizes many social work practice issues. To encourage social workers to think in terms of chaos theory, we discuss the origins of the theory and a variety of ways in which it has been used in other fields. We suggest how chaos theory can provide a useful alternative way of thinking about social work practice and research.