Should people with PHD's call themselves, "doctor"?

Ah what's this whole thread about? Whether one should or shouldnt call someone a doctor because of a PhD and that it shows disrespect to that persons accomplishment if you don't. Or that one accomplishment holds more weight than another.

Maybe I missed it.

 

I would think it was about the former..?

 

Not to pick on ya bud, but there ya go. So if the level of education is all you know of a person the higher of the two is superior.

What if the GED guy knows he has ground to make up and works his a** off at their job and the "doctor" feels his degree his good enough to coast along and gets passed up by the lesser educated. And I know "what if" but it does happen, not in every job field but it still happens.

 

I think it was more of a point that if someone has a PhD and requests to be addressed as such in a formal setting, then it would be disrespectful to do otherwise. It reeks of jealousy or contempt.

It does not mean that individual is better, but to ignore the request is petty.

 

Agreed. For a formal setting its absolutly appropriate, but for every situation not required.

 

I am neither jealous nor have contempt for the good "Doctor". In fact, I kind of liked the guy.

 

So why did it bother you so when you heard him introduce himself as "Dr."? It's completely appropriate in the educational setting. The president of our school board has his doctorate in education administration and refers to himself as "Dr. Scott". I consider it to be completely benign. I just don't see how or why it would irritate you.

 

The request is petty is the where mosr have drawn the line in this thread.

I would find it weird for someone to refer to themselves as doctor as well that was my kids junior high principal.

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Yes.

Your what if scenario is irrelevant.

I'm sorry, but I live in reality, and this is how things work in the real world.

 

Therein lies the rub. It is very common in the education field for those that have a doctorate to be called "Dr". Junior High, or College really does not make a distinction. There is nothing petty about someone introducing themselves as "Dr." in their professional environment or at some formal setting. Why would anyone care? That's my point, if they have a doctorate, who cares if they wish to be referred to as "Dr."? Why is that so offsetting for some folks? How does that breed contempt. I have yet to see anyone explain why that automatically makes them some kind of snoody jerk. I still think that if it bothers you, it shows some insecurity, contempt, or jealousy. Otherwise, you just would not give a crap.

 

The only reason they refer to themselves as doctor is so the other people in the room will know of their accomplishments. That's the only reason and it is self serving and somewhat egotistical. IMO. I dont care what your level of education is PERIOD.(never in my life have I asked someone what degree they have) It is irrelevant to me and I give it zero thought in someone as a person.

If my son's principal introduces himself to me as doctor. I will find it self serving on his part but that is as far as it would go. I would judge him for his merits, not his education.

Unlike in a hospital, when a doctor refers to himself as a doctor, it is their profession as well as lets people know as to distinguish between those that work there.

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Its YOUR reality.

The only place that should hold any relevance is in qualifications for a job.



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Actually, education was the first field to have the distinction of doctorates. The medical field followed later. Totally the opposite of your reasoning.

There is no reason to feel that someone referring to themselves as "Dr." is egotistical or self-serving. That is a huge assumption that would often be wrong on many levels. Not ALWAYS wrong, but often times. That would be like me assuming you are a rifle totin', squirrel eatin' hillbilly that lives in a rusty trailer because you are from Kentucky. Or, that you assume I am a bib-overall wearing farmer that lives in a big old farm house because I am from Iowa. It just doesn't hold water. There is some reason that some of you hold such contempt for individuals that have obtained the highest level of education and give it no merit. You may not ever admit it, but there is a reason.

 

No, the self serving part is telling me ,because , imo, it is completely irrelevant to our relationship. Unless we are in a hospital. That lets me know your not a nurse or secretary. You are the one making decisions on my health.

May have some relevance among your peers but beyond job qualifications, it's irrelevant.I don't really agree with that either(the peers part) but that's neither here nor there.


It's ironic that this is an ongoing joke on the show big bang theory. When sheldon refers to himself as "doctor" it is purely for it's comic factor and further instills his self indulgent needs.

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I actually can't recall anyone ever referring to themselves as doctor to me outside of a hospital.

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You need to get out more. lol

I wonder if there is some regional difference on this? Quite honestly, I have met quite a few people that go by "Dr." Several of them in the education field. I have never met anyone that thought poorly of it. This is very new and disturbing to me as I am sure you can tell!

I am going to chalk it up to regional, or gernerational, or social, or educational, or I dont know whatal differences. lol

At any rate, as I mentioned earlier, we all perceive things differently based on our own life experiences and this is just one of those things. No right or wrong, just a perception. I did enjoy the thread very much. It was an extremely interesting topic to me. I love the ones that make me a little crazy trying to comprehend where everyone is coming from. It was a great question to ask. Nothing but the uttmost respect to you tfox, good Sir. It would be my pleasure to call you Doctor any day. As far as I am concerned, you have a doctorate in bow tuning. I think we can all agree on that!

 

I hope I didn't come across like a complete jack-a on this thread. A lot of times, by the time I am done saying something stupid, you guys make me think by offering your opinions and disagreements. This thread is no different.

Here is a real doctor!

 

Ha ha alright, I gues I'll just bow out to the superiority of the college educated.

 

Even on bow tuning, I know people that make me look stupid in that regards. I just prefer to let ones actions guide my opinions of them.

Therefore, I respect you greatly as well.

I guess I just don't travel in those circles where people go around calling themselves doctor when they aren't in a hospital setting.

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In my office, we will always introduce the PhDs as "Dr. John Smith" to clients. It just lends that extra bit of credibility.