PhD = real doctor?

[DAVEM]

Hi All,

I thought I'd share a recent argument I had.

Basically I was having a conversation with a few postgrad friends and I made a comment like "My friends a doctor, well I mean a real doctor, not like a PhD doctor", which kicked off quite a heated argument.


I didn't mean any offense by it, I just meant that if someone shouted "Is there a Doctor in the house" they're not exactly looking for someone which a PhD in history are they!

So in your opinion are the two equal, should PhD's give you a different title?


Cheers

David

 

[DAVEM]

They seem to be comparing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

They can both be referred to as Doctor, but obviously only an MD can treat patients. I don't really understand your question "Are they both equal"

I know what a PhD is, what I was getting as it do people see them as the same, of equal standing if you like. I'm studying towards my PhD so I'm certainly not slagging of PhD's but I must admit it would be interesting to see if people view them the same.

EDIT: Thought people might find this interesting, MD's who are accepted to the college of surgeons have to give up Dr and go back to using Mr, aparently it goes back to the days when it was the college of surgeons and barbers (lol)!

Thanks

David

 

[DAVEM]

Not to mention that the last 3 of those 6 is largely independant study....

You seam to state that as something to be proud? Perhaps not.

To be completely honest this is my opinion, slate it as you feel fit:
Doctor to me means "healer" whether it be someone in a dessert somewhere that can help with certain problems or a surgeon who can cure a serious problem. A PhD means expert, your a leader in your field not a doctor but an expert. The titles should be split, I would rather she the title of "Master" be applied to PhD's and "Doctor" to MD's. I know that leaves the question of what to do with MSc's though!

I'm playing devils advocate here clearly!

DaveM

 

[DAVEM]

Takes 7 to be an Architect, what do you call them ? God ?

Student scum?

 

[DAVEM]

Actually, only 5 of those are academic. And I did 6 of those years thank you very much

ha ha, my sister is on her second year at the moment, so no offense fella!

Good discussion though!


Davem

 

[DAVEM]

because a couple of thousand years ago all learned subjects were bunched under 'philosophy', including science, medicine etc...
philosophy was the study of truth in whatever endeavour was worthy.

]

Also there are new PhD type awards like the DBA (Doctor of business and administration) or DEng


On another note I never understood why people from Oxbridge get an "free" Masters after they've graduated, surely this is not on at all and should be banned

 

[DAVEM]

It tends to be the letters after your name which are most important.
Especially if they say C.***, meaning chartered member of a professional body.

Back in the labs at uni I remember a bored discussion about adding additional academic titles above professor. We came up with sensae, guru and finally oracle.

I'd quite enjoy being a G.Phys, I think. (M.Phys for now, but I'm working on it. )

Pfft undergraduate masters! get a proper masters!

 

[DAVEM]

I can't remember how I got mine!

www.getadegree.com by anychance

 

[DAVEM]

Dr. Evil Phd. no that don't sound right !

Dr E. Vil PhD thats better

 

[DAVEM]

Do you know anyone who has studied at either Oxford or Cambridge? Those Universities didn't get to be at the top of the academic tree by the students sitting about in the bar. They thoroughly deserve their "free Masters" degrees.

Yes I know lots of people who have been and no they do not deserve their free masters at all (as most of them accept). If their courses where so much superior to the other universities then they would never accept PhD students from any other university would they.

Take a look at the course outlines at similar courses at Cambridge and Bristol for example, they cover almost identical material!