I Earned a Doctorate; I’ll Refer to Myself as Doctor if I Choose
Earlier in 2020 President Joe Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, chose to use a title she had earned, Doctor.
Observing the reaction from some, you would have thought China or North Korea had just initiated a nuclear attack on the USA. What was most ludicrous about these reactions was that Dr. Jill Biden does have a doctoral degree, an Ed.D that she earned from the University of Delaware (UD). She also has two Masters degrees. Yes, not one, but two. Therefore, whatever the criticisms were, she has every right to title and refer to herself as Doctor. It’s the truth, a fact; not an opinion. It’s as simple as that. There is no valid argument otherwise. To reiterate, Dr. Jill Biden successfully completed the requirements for a doctoral degree, as required by UD, a university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Consequently, it was bestowed upon her, the title of Doctor — Dr. Jill Biden.
“It’s the truth, a fact; not an opinion. It’s as simple as that.”
You may have an alternate opinion, but it’s an opinion (not fact), and as the saying goes, opinions are like a — holes, everyone has one, and they all stink. So if you’re really desperate to have someone hear your opinion, you’ll have to find someone that seeks your stink.
“ . . . opinions are like a — holes, everyone has one and they all stink.”
For a country that places so much emphasis on formal academic education, the attacks on Dr. Jill Biden are hypocritical. The USA, unlike many other developed countries, does not have a good back-up for those who do not wish to, or cannot attend college. Although community colleges fill a gap, they are not really a back-up, but a step down. They are still colleges of sorts and do not serve those that are not academically inclined.
When compared with systems in other Western countries, the apprenticeship/trade option in the USA is pitiful at best — possibly as a means to maintain military ranks (although this is a worthwhile discussion, it is beyond the scope of this article). Commitment to serve in the military is also sweetened by the generous educational grants rewarded. Why are there such generous benefits for those serving in the military, but not for non-military citizens of the same country? What is the difference between those actively serving in the military (if that’s where their heart is), and those who don’t, but choose to work and pay taxes to build and support the military complex (if that’s where their heart is)? As John F. Kennedy stated, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Once size does not fit all; each individual must find his/her strength and how to serve best. A good leader will know how best he/she can serve, and it’s not always by direct involvement in the military.
hy·poc·ri·sy | həˈpäkrəsē |
noun (plural hypocrisies)
• the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform; pretense.
The criticism towards academic (not service/professional) doctorates titling themselves as Doctor may also be detrimental for those considering college, but untrained in the skill of critical thinking, thereby unable to identify the hypocrisy. Why would one choose a pathway to complete an academic doctorate when the achievement has been so mocked publicly. And if the academic doctorate, the highest level of education obtainable, is made a mockery of, what does that suggest of the academic degrees below the doctorate; the master’s, bachelor’s, associate’s, or even high school graduation? Such hypocrisy would be damaging to the education system, which is undeniably for-profit. Less students, less money.
Undeniably, the attacks were childlike. They were the actions and practices we teach our children not to do when they’re still, well, children in the playground. Adults should have more wisdom, developed from their years of experience, to recognize when their emotions are influencing their judgements; thereby making their opinion subjective, not objective. This factor, one’s emotional influence, is becoming increasingly significant as people unknowingly become overwhelmed by emotions though manipulation and brainwashing simply because they do not know how to apply critical thinking. Two human factors play into this significantly. The first, ignorance; the second, stupidity. Let’s take a quick look at them (and a few others) as ignorant and stupid are not, and should not be used as, derogatory terms. They are adjectives, descriptions, and need to be recognized as such.
crit·i·cal think·ing
noun
• the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.
It is possible to engage in an in-depth discussion on the merits of the title Doctor, introducing aspects such as quality and relevance of research, scholarship, duration of learning, service, degree history, etc., however, it is unnecessary in this case, as such subjective criticisms stem from conditions such as ignorance, stupidity, and envy. Unfortunately, these conditions could unduly influence any thought process, contaminating the accuracy. Let’s examine some of these characteristics to see how they influence opinions rendering them worthless.
ig·no·rant | ˈiɡnərənt |
adjective
lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
• [predicative] lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular thing.
• informal discourteous or rude.
Ignorance is simply a lack of knowledge in a given area. Having a little intelligence can help one to understand what they lack, and motivate them to seek the appropriate education and experience to no longer be ignorant of a given subject.
in·tel·li·gence | inˈteləjəns |
noun
• the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills:
• a person or being with the ability to acquire and apply knowledge.
However, when one assumes they have knowledge of a given area, but they have nothing to demonstrate this (formal education, experience) they demonstrate aspects of stupidity. It becomes more difficult for these individuasl to seek the appropriate information because they believe they already have it — they suffer from a lack of self awareness, or the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Pride or hubris can impede their path, as can manipulation, indoctrination, propaganda, and brainwashing from outside sources. Those who’s balance is more towards stupidity than intelligence are more likely to be influenced by these processes, consequently swimming further into the pool of stupidity.
stu·pid | ˈst(y)o͞opəd |
adjective (stupider, stupidest)
• having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.
• dazed and unable to think clearly.
The nonsense argument often employed by those criticizing one for using the title Dr. is that the doctor in question is not an MD (Doctor of Medicine). This is akin to claiming a car, for example, a Toyota, is not a car because only Chevrolets are cars. A Toyota is still a car; it’s a different make of car. A Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Supra are both the same make of car, but they are different models of the same make. Similarly, transpersonal psychologists and clinical psychologists are both PhD doctors (make), but they are different models of PhD doctor. And radiologists and neurologists are both MD doctors (make), but they are different models of MD doctor. Recipients of doctorates, whether education, philosophy, medicine, etc., are all doctors, just different makes and models. Consequently, arguing that doctorates cannot title themseles as Doctor because they are not MDs demonstrates ignorance, and depending on the individual, stupidity.
The second stage of this argument usually continues something like, “well if I have a heart attack and go into hospital, I want a cardiologist (MD) working on me not an educationalist (Ed.D)” (ok, I’m stretching it here. It is highly unlikely for someone making this kind of argument to know the term ‘educationalist’). Well, really! You want a cardiologist not an educationalist. Who would have know.
So now we’ve stepped past ignorance and into stupidity. Who would think a hospital would employ an Ed.D as a cardiac MD, or an Ed.D would apply and receive a position as a cardiac MD? Who would make such a ridiculous statement? Answer; someone acting from stupidity. This person bypasses ignorance and moves into stupidity, makes an assumption like this, and speaks it as truth (yes, to assume; to make an ass [out of] you [and] me). The intelligent individual would apply critical thinking and clarifying the truth. Stupidity though, bypasses the critical thinking stage and assumes his/her opinion is truth from a place of ignorance.
“This person bypasses ignorance and moves into stupidity . . . “
Therefore, before you decide to tell non-MDs with doctorates that they cannot title themselves as Doctors, because they are not MDs, ensure firstly that you have a doctorate yourself. If you have not, know that your argument has no value, nor does your opinion, You have not experienced the process, and have no understanding of time, money, and effort it takes to earn a doctorate. Your words have no substance, your opinion is a subjective assumption, and has likely formed from your insecurities and low self-worth. Yes, unfortunately all you have is an opinion; there is nothing factual about it built upon education or experience (see intelligence above). Of opinions, the saying stands; opinions are like a — holes — everyone has one, and they all stink. Consequently, I’m sorry to inform you, but your opinion has little value to anyone other than yourself.
If you have a doctorate, and still choose to argue that non-MD doctorates should not title themselves as Doctors, you should probably discuss your issues with a psychologist (who is likely a PhD Doctor). Intelligent people do not care about pointless opinions, unless they’re being paid for it. Discuss your issues with hierarchical systems, where the person of thought has a higher status than the person of practice, and the efforts of egalitarian movements to reduce the honor bestowed upon a higher level of education.
“Intelligent people do not care about pointless opinions . . . “
Lastly, there are no Doctors in any field without a doctoral degree. However, there are doctors in the medical field without doctoral degrees? What would you suggest we title/call them?
PS: Reading this article, you may have been able to discern an underlying dichotomy within the US not specifically addressed here, but likely the root cause of this issue.
