Are PhDs arrogant when they insist on being called "Doctor So-and So"...?

[monkrules]

In a radio interview, a guy once said that “PhDs” who insist on being called “Doctor”, as in Doctor Finkenstein, do it out of arrogance. In his opinion, only medical doctors should be identified by the title “Doctor”. I agree with him, especially since it takes medical doctors many years of training to become a doctor, then they have to do a long residency on top of the schooling. Also when I’m talking to a doctor I want him to know something about medicine, not fucking philosophy.

I was reminded of this yesterday when, on the news, our local school Superintendent was interviewed and a nameplate was shown on which he was identified as Doctor Lopez, or something.

When I was in fifth grade we had a sociology teacher named “Doctor Profitt”. He used to prance up and down the hallway like he had a bundle of feathers stuck up his ass. A real sissy. And he insisted people address him as "Doctor".

Then on an introduction to Sean Hannity’s radio show I’ve heard them refer to him as “Doctor Hannity” because he apparently has a PhD from some papermill. I think he’s a specialist in identifying dandelions, or something equally impressive.

So what are your thoughts? And have you had any interesting encounters with PhDs, humorous or otherwise?

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english.stackexchange.com/questions/25685/should-i-write-phd-or-ph-d

From an explanation on the site:
I think there’s really no point in distinguishing them as “Philosophiae Doctor” or “Doctor of Philosophy” because it’s the same exact expression, although considering the abbreviation, the former is the correct and original long version, the latter is just the English translation.

 

[strollingbones]

my aunt has a doctorage in english lit and will tell you real quick she is called doctor such and such.....she is a dumb bitch

 

[BULLDOG]

Yes, Medical doctors are a completely different level. but to be fair, other doctors earned their doctorate just like medical doctors did. Just in a different field. I suspect the meaning of the word doctor has changed over the years, but universities haven't changed the names of their degrees to match that change. I know a couple people with a PhD. Their arrogance isn't limited to their insistence on being called doctor.

 

[Meathead]

In Europe titles are far more important. Many top people in adminstrations have been PhDs but only Henry Kissinger was called doctor, but he was from Austria. In the US the title is largelly reserved for medical doctors, likely because of a more egalitartian society and emergencies.

After all, who needs a Doctor of English when someone has a stroke?

 

[JoeB131]

Kind of funny given my avatar...

But the term "Doctor" comes the Latin "Docere" meaning "Teacher" and eventually into the English Language through French meaning "Learned person".

To use it for a practitioner of Medicine is actually a recent invention. But then again, so is Modern Medicine.

 

[TheParser]

I have heard that in some European countries (at least before World War II), if a person had earned two doctorates, then they might have expected people to say something like, "Good morning, Dr. Dr. Schmidt."

*****

Unlike most Americans, I believe in showing deference to my "betters."

When I worked at an adult ESL school for eight years, there was one faculty member who had a doctorate. All the other adults who worked there called him by his first name or maybe "Mr." I always, however, addressed him (in speech and in writing) as Dr.

I think that many people work very hard to earn a Ph.D. Does it do any harm to show respect to him/her by using the title "Doctor"? In my opinion, maybe one reason our country has so many problems is that people -- in their attempt to show that no one is better than they -- often refuse to show proper respect. On C-SPAN call-in shows, for example, some people on the telephone will address guests by their first name. Let's say that the guest is the Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Some people might ask, "Hi, Nancy. Are you going to impeach [President] Trump when you guys take back the House in November?"

 

[Darkwind]

Do you believe that someone who has earned a Ph.D. somehow didn't work hard for that degree?

I had a professor once to tried to take Me to task for calling him Professor instead of Doctor. His rather rude and abrupt statement of, "I think I've earned the title" was met by Me with a question on why he thought the honorific "professor" was such a lowly title, when in fact, a professor is as equally deserving of respect as a doctor.

He thought I was some wet behind the ears kid fresh out of high school and intimidated by higher education. To say he looked miffed would be a mild statement. I did call him Doctor on occasion, however.

I have no problem using the title when addressing people, but I absolutely detest any arrogance that comes with a demand to be addressed that way, particularly if I wasn't being rude.

 

[Darkwind]

I have heard that in some European countries (at least before World War II), if a person had earned two doctorates, then they might have expected people to say something like, "Good morning, Dr. Dr. Schmidt."

*****

Unlike most Americans, I believe in showing deference to my "betters."

When I worked at an adult ESL school for eight years, there was one faculty member who had a doctorate. All the other adults who worked there called him by his first name or maybe "Mr." I always, however, addressed him (in speech and in writing) as Dr.

I think that many people work very hard to earn a Ph.D. Does it do any harm to show respect to him/her by using the title "Doctor"? In my opinion, maybe one reason our country has so many problems is that people -- in their attempt to show that no one is better than they -- often refuse to show respect. On C-SPAN call-in shows, for example, some people on the telephone will address guests by their first name. Let's say that the guest is the Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Some people might ask, "Hi, Nancy. Are you going to impeach [President] Trump when you guys take back the House in November?"

??

Holding a Doctorate does not make someone "your better" as you put it.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Anyone with a doctorate degree can be called doctor. A doctorate in Jurisprudence, i.e. law degree, entitled the holder to be called doctor. If you require the word "doctor" to differentiate between a medical doctor, a dentist, a chiropractor or anyone with a PhD degree, you have a serious problem with comprehending academia.

 

[monkrules]

I have a cousin who is the smartest person I've ever known. He has a PhD in law. Thankfully he's not one of the arrogant PhDs we so often see these days.

In terms of all-around, get your hands dirty and get it done attitude the guy is a monster. He can rebuild a car engine, fix plumbing, has written books (well-written, I should add), runs a couple of different businesses in addition to his law practice. Yet he acts like a normal human being, plays guitar, has a good sense of humor and is a great father. Maybe he just has a more well-balanced view of life, he seems to know what's important. And in his case, it's not being called by a snooty title.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Anyone with a doctorate degree can be called doctor. A doctorate in Jurisprudence, i.e. law degree, entitled the holder to be called doctor. If you require the word "doctor" to differentiate between a medical doctor, a dentist, a chiropractor or anyone with a PhD degree, you have a serious problem with comprehending academia.

A JD doesn't confer the title of "Doctor".

An LLD does.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

I dont have a problem with addressing my GP or Surgeon as Doctor so and so.
I do however address my prosthodontist by his first name just to piss him off because he's a prick.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

I have a cousin who is the smartest person I've ever known. He has a PhD in law. Thankfully he's not one of the arrogant PhDs we so often see these days.

In terms of all-around, get your hands dirty and get it done attitude the guy is a monster. He can rebuild a car engine, fix plumbing, has written books (well-written, I should add), runs a couple of different businesses in addition to his law practice. Yet he acts like a normal human being, plays guitar, has a good sense of humor and is a great father. Maybe he just has a more well-balanced view of life, he seems to know what's important. And in his case, it's not being called by a snooty title.

There is no such thing as a "PhD in law".

There's a JD (juris doctor), which is a trade degree, not a research degree. Then there's an LLD (legum doctor), which is more equivalent to a PhD, and is a post-JD research degree.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

And just because someone will undoubtedly bring it up again, contrary to my screen name, I am not a "Doctor" of anything. Its a fucking nickname.

 

[monkrules]

I have a cousin who is the smartest person I've ever known. He has a PhD in law. Thankfully he's not one of the arrogant PhDs we so often see these days.

In terms of all-around, get your hands dirty and get it done attitude the guy is a monster. He can rebuild a car engine, fix plumbing, has written books (well-written, I should add), runs a couple of different businesses in addition to his law practice. Yet he acts like a normal human being, plays guitar, has a good sense of humor and is a great father. Maybe he just has a more well-balanced view of life, he seems to know what's important. And in his case, it's not being called by a snooty title.

There is no such thing as a "PhD in law".

There's a JD (juris doctor), which is a trade degree, not a research degree. Then there's an LLD (legum doctor), which is more equivalent to a PhD, and is a post-JD research degree.

Well he has a PhD. I never asked about the details of it. I do know he spent a load of time at the Univ. One day maybe I'll remember to as about those details.

I don't even have a masters, so I never cared about the requirements for obtaining a PhD.

 

[BULLDOG]

I have a cousin who is the smartest person I've ever known. He has a PhD in law. Thankfully he's not one of the arrogant PhDs we so often see these days.

In terms of all-around, get your hands dirty and get it done attitude the guy is a monster. He can rebuild a car engine, fix plumbing, has written books (well-written, I should add), runs a couple of different businesses in addition to his law practice. Yet he acts like a normal human being, plays guitar, has a good sense of humor and is a great father. Maybe he just has a more well-balanced view of life, he seems to know what's important. And in his case, it's not being called by a snooty title.

Sounds like a great guy. If somebody seems that perfect, it might be worthwhile to check their basement for dead bodies.

 

[tycho1572]

It all about respect.
I still address my GF as Dr. when I'm feeling especially proud of her for something she's done.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

I have a cousin who is the smartest person I've ever known. He has a PhD in law. Thankfully he's not one of the arrogant PhDs we so often see these days.

In terms of all-around, get your hands dirty and get it done attitude the guy is a monster. He can rebuild a car engine, fix plumbing, has written books (well-written, I should add), runs a couple of different businesses in addition to his law practice. Yet he acts like a normal human being, plays guitar, has a good sense of humor and is a great father. Maybe he just has a more well-balanced view of life, he seems to know what's important. And in his case, it's not being called by a snooty title.

There is no such thing as a "PhD in law".

There's a JD (juris doctor), which is a trade degree, not a research degree. Then there's an LLD (legum doctor), which is more equivalent to a PhD, and is a post-JD research degree.

Well he has a PhD. I never asked about the details of it. I do know he spent a load of time at the Univ. One day maybe I'll remember to as about those details.

I don't even have a masters, so I never cared about the requirements for obtaining a PhD.

A PhD is a doctorate in philosophy. I have a juris doctor and a double masters in History and English but never bothered with a PhD. Although, I am toying with getting a degree in Art History.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Anyone with a doctorate degree can be called doctor. A doctorate in Jurisprudence, i.e. law degree, entitled the holder to be called doctor. If you require the word "doctor" to differentiate between a medical doctor, a dentist, a chiropractor or anyone with a PhD degree, you have a serious problem with comprehending academia.

A JD doesn't confer the title of "Doctor".

An LLD does.

Not according to the ABA.

Lawyers are Doctors, Too

ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Disciplinary Rule 2-102 permitted a J.D. or LL.M. (master of law) recipient to use doctor with his or her name, the committee concluded in ABA Informal Opinion 1152 (1970).

I think that using the term Doctor by a lawyer is pretentious and I have never done it. What I have seen though, is that those who pass the bar use Esq. and those who have not passed the bar but have a law degree use "Doctor". That is just common usage.

There is some controversy, with states like Texas going back and forth. The last opinion saying that the use of the term Doctor only reflect an advanced degree the same as many other advanced degrees.

 

[monkrules]

A PhD is a doctorate in philosophy. I have a juris doctor and a double masters in History and English but never bothered with a PhD. Although, I am toying with getting a degree in Art History.

Did you create the paintings you use as your avatar?

You had one a while back that I really liked. Looked like a sad face, looking down, mostly blue.