Are they really "doctors"?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nosborne48, May 24, 2023.

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  1. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    I'm changing my signature line.
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I have a standing objection to counselors using the title "doctor" just because they have a doctorate. If you're not a psychologist, you should not use that title in your practice. I think it is incredibly deceptive. Want to teach a night class and be called "doctor"? Sure, it's fitting. But using that title in a licensed profession when the title is consistent with a different profession is a fraud.
     
  3. Michael Burgos

    Michael Burgos Active Member

    I think you're assuming that psychology is somehow scientific and is, thus, the only sort of counseling in which the use of the title is fitting. Correct me if I got that wrong, please. If that is the case, there are a legion of degreed scientists who wholly disagree with that assumption, at least in the clinical setting (and increasingly in the experimental setting). Most cite psychology's failure to meet the needed criteria to be considered an actual science (e.g., 2/3 of psychology studies in the top thirty journals for the last dozen years cannot be replicated; see here to start). As Alex Berezow observed (an actual scientist), "Psychology isn’t science. Why can we definitively say that? Because psychology often does not meet the five basic requirements for a field to be considered scientifically rigorous: clearly defined terminology, quantifiability, highly controlled experimental conditions, reproducibility and, finally, predictability and testability." Moreover, just because someone has a doctoral degree in psychology does not mean that what he or she does in the clinical setting has any relevance to, say, psychological science. Indeed, a number of recent publications have outed a startling amount of bizarre and pseudo-scientific practices by doctors of psychology. I might also add that there is a certain partisanship to your claim as it presumes a kind of exclusivity that does not account for alternative methods of counseling practice.
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I'm speaking about professions and professional roles. Licensed psychologists are doctors, while licensed counselors are not. I'm not at all discussing whether or not psychology is a science. (It is a social science.) Nor am I talking about others with degrees in psychology or other types of counselors. I said nothing about any of that.
     
  5. Michael Burgos

    Michael Burgos Active Member

    Seems arbitrary to me. Maybe you can flesh that out.
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Psychology? I'm with Rich on this. "Psychology is commonly recognized as a social science, and is included on the National Science Foundation's roster of recognized STEM disciplines" (Southern New Hampshire University).

    Faith is hardly scientific. So maybe we shouldn't be calling D. Min. and ThD holders "Doctor." And those STD's... (Doctors of Sacred Theology, of course).

    Question - is there Theology which isn't sacred? Never heard of a "Doctor of Secular Theology" "Sacred Theology" seems like a redundancy - but the degrees are worded that way.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2023
  7. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Anyone with a doctorate can be called "Doctor". That aside, those are academic disciplines (ancient languages, Middle Eastern geography, ancient literature, ancient cultural practices, ancient languages, philosophy, and so on that would make up a ThD). Seems worthy to me of the academic recognition of "Dr."
     
  8. Michael Burgos

    Michael Burgos Active Member

    The STD/STM moniker is owed to Western liturgical traditions and, therefore, uses "sacred" to highlight the historical and systematic nature of the relevant programs. Those traditions thoroughly influenced by the Genevan Reformation all but abandoned the sacred/common dichotomy but still regard theology as the queen of the sciences. If a low-church Reformed Baptist could don a liturgical hat for a moment without retching, I'd respond to your question by suggesting that as soon as secularists develop a workable epistemology, worldview, and systematic philosophy of life and doctrine that has spanned thousands of years, they are certainly entitled to a Doctor of Secular Philosophy. But theology? Hardly.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    No, but thanks. I've said all I have to say about this.
     
  10. Xspect

    Xspect Active Member

    Pursuing my PhD with all my passion and dedication! I will call myself a "Doctor" whenever the opportunity arises. Not only will it signify my educational achievements, but I also see it as a valuable asset for marketing my business. Rest assured, I will always make it clear what my professional license entails. The "Dr" in front of my name represents my educational status, while the specific professional designation will be mentioned on the back. If anyone happens to take issue with this, please understand that I have invested significant time and effort into my schooling and training, and I identify as a Doctor with the utmost respect.

    short version
    I will identify as a "Doctor" - thank you bud light and North Face
     
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    This doesn't exist. Others call you "doctor" sometimes. If you do it yourself, it sounds weird and self-serving. So, the opportunity will NOT rise, but some people do it despite that.

    John Bear once said that we all should get 90 days after graduation for introducing ourselves as "doctor," then knock it off.
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    One should expect to be called "Doctor" as often as one was previously called "Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss", which in this century is nearly indistinguishable from never.
     
  13. Michael Burgos

    Michael Burgos Active Member

    I suppose that would depend on what you mean by "faith." Faith in the Christian tradition is synonymous with "trust." Thus, to assert "Faith is hardly scientific" is akin to suggesting "Trust is hardly scientific"-- a category error if there ever was one. But what I guess you mean, owing to your failure to elaborate, is that "Faith in God is hardly scientific." If that is the case, I'd agree. One cannot (nor should try to) test an immaterial and transcendent being-- that too is a category error. Rather, the claim of the Christian tradition is that science presupposes God inasmuch as it assumes the unique discoverability of our environment, the teleology of our planet, the uniformity of nature, and the ever-needed transcendentals, among other things.

    In terms of its discipline, theology is scientific in the same sense that all of the humanities studies are. As Aquinas observed, theology is the queen of the sciences. So no, and thankfully not your call.
     
  14. Xspect

    Xspect Active Member


    Nope, Too late because I've already finalized the design and started payment for my forehead tattoo. However, I may choose to display it on certain materials and, it wouldn't be well-received in my social circle where approximately 80% of the individuals hold doctorate degrees, whether in the medical field or other disciplines.
     
  15. Xspect

    Xspect Active Member

    In the deep south where I reside, titles such as "Sir" and "Ma'am" are commonly used in daily interactions. Due to my professional role I am addressed as "Doctor" approximately 90% of the time. Initially, I would go overboard to correct people who used the title, but I later recognized that it was more about showing respect for my profession rather than identifying who I am as an individual. Now, I explained to them at least twice and more often if think the are truly confused.
     
  16. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Nothing wrong with that.
     
  17. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Insisting someone call you "doctor" is condescending, absurd, and puerile.
     
    Dustin, JoshD and Maniac Craniac like this.
  18. Xspect

    Xspect Active Member


    What is the difference between that and Caitlyn Jenner, life coach and unlicensed therapist, social media model and superficial influencer, activist and radical, lifelong student and dilettante, most people of this board and a Polymath?
     
  19. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    It's also arrogant, self aggrandizing, and asinine.
     
  20. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That reads like you got so excited about gratuitously mentioning Caitlyn Jenner that you forgot to make the sentence make sense.
     

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