Are PhD ppl better than everyone else, and why?

Question

Ppl revere Drs and those academically acclaimed in the world of academia especially in Science. However, are these ppl REALLY better than those who have less intelligence but a heart of self denial and love towards others? I know these so called Drs are only ominscient in their own eyes, but do you really think they are Gods in their own rights?

Answer 1

Of course not. I don't think that they think they are, unless pershaps their sense of self worth is bolstered by someone else's approval. I suspect that it is other people who put them up on a pedestals. Many of them are just looking for higher paying jobs, and so have prepared themselves.

Answer 2

Some are and some aren't

Isaac Asimov held like 12 degrees inclyding 3-4 doctorates.

He wrote every single book on a typewritter with 2 carbons and he sent the original in. No mistakes. No errors.

First draft perfect.

Why, he had to do 6 Masters Thesis and 4 Doctorial Dissertations to get his degrees and those are 100 page books reviewed by a staff of 12 PH Ds at the university.

So he's an expert at writing intellectural material in perfect English grammar, perfectly spell and punctuated.

He's also, with those degree, an instant expert who can talk to you about any science discipline and put his hands on research to back up his points.

In short he knows his stuff and you can't begin to match wits with him unless you are a practising small particle physicist working at MIT for 10 years.

You can't match witts with a PHD in Psychology. It's impossible, they have an aswer for everything.

You can't match politics with someone who has a JD in law. They know what's legal and what's not. Because they spent 4 years matching wits with Judges and Lawyers at law school.

Someone with just a Masters in English Grammar can take your writing apart with no problems. They will leave you impotent.

Now it is very true that someone with a PHD In Filmmaking who has NEVER worked on a Union set will look much the fool to even the grips who only went to high school.

But that is because it's an applied art not a research art and no college maintains a film class that does real things.

They do maintain chemistry, engineering, physics, psychology and medical departments that do real things.

The run hosptials, mental health clinics, observatories and do breakthrough chemical research.

So there are some areas, notably business and the liberal arts, where the universities are not as strong as in the sciences.

Answer 3

You've mixed several things in your question.

A PhD doesn't prove intelligence. It shows you had the time, money and dedication to get one.

That is to say there are many PhDs that are NOT eligible for Mensa and many Mensa people (like myself) who do not have a PhD.

Having said that though once someone has put in all the time and effort (and put up with all the BS they had to take over the years) they are rightly proud of this accomplishment. Some make a point of being called "Dr" and others say "Just cvall me Bob".

PhDs like other people are in fact people so are just as likely to be nice guys or dorks as the rest of the general population.

Interestingly you mention science and in most scientific disciplines you don't get very far along without some intelligence and ability to think logically. Also you have a tendency to begin associating mainly with the people in your area of study so often you'll sound incomprehensible to people outside the area. This isn't an intent to freeze anyone out but just a natural thing. I work in the computer industry and often see people's eyes glaze over when I think I'm waxing eloquent about my most recent finding. It fascinates me but bores them to tears because they're not interested in it. In fact I've found that even within the field computer geeks bore each other because we're all interested in different facets of computers.

Answer 4

It says nothing more then that they studied longer and more...
It has nothing to to with intelligence nor has it anything to do with being better.
I doubt if anyone will say that a person with a low income and no education, but who helps everyone in any situation will be less then a selfish doctor who could care less about his own neighbors! (This is an example. Not saying all dr's are bad ppl or anything)
In short: No matter if you have a high or low IQ, better education or a bigger wallet, the person who is "better" is quietly known for it ;o)

Answer 5

PhDs are much less revered than you think.

We aren't much different from other people -- except that most of us are blessed with above average intelligence. This doesn't make us any better than someone who is of average intelligence with much better than average looks -- and doesn't make us as good as someone with average looks and intelligence who is much nicer than average.

Most of us would not fit into the category of those with hearts of self-denial nor do we lack love for others.

Fewer think that we are omniscient. We are, however, more likely to know what we don't know -- something that you last sentence shows is not true of you.

Answer 6

I went through graduate school with my wife, and we got doctorates simultaneously. Her sister's friend started making a big deal out of it, like we were supposed to be worshipped or something. We laughed, but couldn't convince her that we hadn't exactly ascended into heaven, or something.

Someone's attitude towards his own doctorate is a good way to judge his character. Unless it's for professional reasons (a physician reassuring a patient, for example) nobody calls himself "Doctor." If he does, you're dealing with someone who is awfully insecure.

Friend of mine had a weird landlady who'd sign everything with her name, followed by Ph.D. That's when you know you're dealing with a tough character.

I've always felt that getting a doctorate entitles you to freely admit ignorance without feeling quite so bad about it. After all, you've proven to someone that you at least know _something._

But I'm thoroughly disappointed that the obtaining of a terminal degree does not end nightmares about school. To this day, I regularly dream about registering for courses in buildings that I can't find until it's time for the final examination.