Legitimate use of 'Dr.'

Let's take an extreme case. Say, for the sake of discussion, I've obtained the degree 'Doctor of Methaphysics' for $10.00 (including a printed diploma) from Church of Universal Life. Can I start calling himself a 'Doctor' (and ask others to do the same)?

 

You could, but you'd be a fraud, and once everyone found out where your "doctorate" came from, you'd be a laughingstock and people would laugh at you. Is it worth it to use a title that you haven't earned?

Bruce

 

Morally speaking, it depends on the circumstances. The guy who called himself "Doctor" on the public access show, for instance, was doing something gravely immoral: doling out health-related advice in a way that would lead folks to believe that he's an actual M.D., therefore encouraging them (perhaps) to take his advice, with potentially dreadful results. That's not just questionable behavior; it's evil behavior.

On the other hand, I wouldn't go after
Doctor Demento.

I'd say that as long as everybody *knows* you're "Doctor" because you paid ten bucks for the title, there's nothing wrong with using it. But the further a guy gets from that level of honesty, the less ethical the situation becomes.


Peace,

Tom

 

One could do so, however, it would be the equivalent of Jethro Bodine calling himself a brain surgeon.

Russell

 

OK, let's define what exactly do we mean by 'earned'. Say as a condition of getting this degree, I have to read 10 pages on documents on Church of Universal Life' Web Site, and also write a few paragraphs on methaphysics as I understand it. See, now I've made some efforts, so I can claims this is my hard-earned degree.

Incidently that guy calling himself a doctor on Dr. Bears' show was one of the reasons I've decided to post this message. He's a fraud, and doctorate in methaphysics is more like a joke. OK, how about Dr. in Theology from some un-accredited school. The subject is very close to methaphysics (he-he, I don't mean it as a troll, really). The difference is I may end up paying $10,000 (or more) instead of $10. For all I care, the value of two degrees is about the same, but I've saved $9,9990 on methaphysics.

Why did I post this message in a first place? As I was reading about that guy (what did he do anyway, wrote a few pages on something) and said to myself: what a fraud. But then I've decided to put myself into his place. Well, I did some studies, and I've done some research and wrote some papers, and this should qualify me as a Doctor of Something or Something Else.

The bottom line: sometime it's hard to argue on the validity of a certain degree.

 

We address the issue of using titles at some length in Chapter 5 of Bears' Guide. It is called, cleverly, "Using Titles."

Basically, the problems are caused by the user of the title, not the quality of the school that issued it. A Ph.D. from Harvard doing obstetrical exams (yes, it happened) is in at least as much trouble as a ten-dollar Ph.D. from Universal Life.

If someone responds to the $10 Doctor in a way that they would not if the title "Doctor" hadn't been used -- whether hiring him, consulting him, inviting him to dinner, whatever -- then the Doctor could be in trouble.

By the way, I think the degree title is not "Methaphysics" but "Methamphysics" or perhaps "Menthamphetics."

John Bear http://www.degree.net

 

My concern is not what subject the degree is in, it's where the degree came from. Your question about a degree from an unaccredited school can't be answered, since they run the gamut from outright fraud to very legitimate. To me, that's a huge benefit of recognized accreditation....some schools are better than others, but all are academically sound and will never embarass you.

I have to ask though...if in your opinion the value of both degrees is the same (worthless), then why would you consider either?

Bruce

 

My original question was on the validity of usage 'Dr'. The degree in question was given as an extreme case. It has no relation to my plans for future education.

On the other hand this particular degree indicates how difficult is to argue of this degree worth (or worthness), but it wasn't the primary purpose of posting this message.

 

You will always be able to find people who will be impressed by a ULC "degree", and will call you "Doctor" based on it.....fellow ULC "graduates". Just about everyone else will find it very funny indeed.

Especially true in the use of the term "doctor", what is *legal* is not always *ethical*. Buying a doctorate through the mail for a payment of $10, no questions asked, is a farce, all legality aside. A doctorate earned from an unaccredited school may or may not be a farce, but at least there is some question.

Bruce

 

And let's not forget the now-imprisoned founder of Columbia State, Ronald Pellar. At one time in his career, he apparently legally changed his name to Doctor Dante. Last name: Dante. First name: Doctor.

Probably in the courtroom of Judge Reinhold.

 

A completely different angle on the use of the title doctor is a person informally addressing a colleage as doctor, as if to say "I know you don't have the piece of paper, but you know at least as much as the people who do." In these cases, I've never observed the 'doctor' using the title himself.

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Gerry Ashton

 

Or the co-founder of Corrections Corporation of America, Doctor R. Crants. His mother named him "Doctor," hoping for good things. He instead attending West Point, then graduated from Harvard Law.

Rich Douglas