Does being a Dr. or a PHD really make you better than someone else?

1. 66

   Rastamermaidposted 12 years ago

   Does being a Dr. or a PHD really make you better than someone else?
   
   I give credit where credit is due. Of course medical Dr.s have trained for years and they heal and save people.Even with that being said some of them are real heels.
   I have a few friends that are Dr.s,in education,criminal justice and a few others areas.
   They are not the best people.
   They are often unfair andjudge people,when they are really no better.

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2. 77

   mattdigiulioposted 12 years ago

   A person's level of education has absolutely nothing to do with how nice, or generous, or altruistic they are. Zero.
   My Dad had two doctoral degrees and happened to be the sweetest dude in the world. I only have my Associate's, but I'm still a fun time.
   Having a PhD or MD is a good indicator that someone has drive and a great work ethic. I think it means little else though. Highly educated people certainly aren't "better" than anyone else in my opinion. A lot of guys on Wall Street who have gotten us into the current recession are math and science geniuses that were plucked from Harvard, Yale, and that ilk. So, you can look at it that way too. I don't know. But great question, sorry for the convoluted answer.
   Best, Matt

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3. 66

   Rastamermaidposted 12 years ago

   Thanks Matt,it's an answer and it's honest.
   
   You really nailed what I feeling,even on a personal note.
   
   It's a family member,they too have a couple doctoral degrees also,but they still owe me money.And they're still one of the ugliest acting people I've ever met.

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4. 69

   jagandelightposted 12 years ago

   Degree has nothing to do with morals, and it certainly do not make you any better than someone else.

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5. 82

   kwade tweelingposted 12 years ago

   mattdigiulio put it very well.
   
   I also know many people with varying degrees. One doctor I know is one of the greatest men I know. He could go anywhere in the medical field and does Chiropractics. He does this because he gets the most satisfaction out of helping people this way. He also keeps a trained massage therapist on staff and refuses to work do an adjustment without first getting them a massage. It's also the cheapest place I have found to get an adjustment (plus free massage.)
   
   Others are the worst kind of scum doing their work only because it pays well. Couldn't care less if it you are better for it. 
   
   To keep it brief, a doctorate of any kind does not ensure ones worth any more than a religion, a job, a race, gender, or any other classification.

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6. 60

   lovelife08posted 12 years ago

   No it does not.  Education level and paycheck amount does not determine social stature.  Just because someone went the extra mile and gained a little more knowledge than me does not make them any better of a person than me.  Just because I did not choose to get a Master's or Doctorite or PH.D. does not make me any lazier or less of a person than them.  We all choose what to do with our lives.  But no one is better than anyone based on that.

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7. 65

   Ralph Deedsposted 12 years ago

   All people are equal, in theory at least, before the law. Democracy usually provides for one vote for each woman or man all men and women are equal in ultimate value. If you don't agree please define the characteristics of the people who are more equal or "better" as you put it.

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8. 73

   Kate Spenserposted 12 years ago

   I would say it makes you better AT something than most people - as a doctoral degree is evidence, at least in theory, of your expertise in a certain, usually quite narrowly focused, area. It certainly doesn't make you BETTER than other people, though - there are awesome, sweet, wonderful people at all levels of education and from all walks of life, and there are selfish, nasty, mean people at all levels of education and from all walks of life. You can use a degree to measure somebody's knowledge about a certain subject, and, to a degree (no pun intended!) their work ethic (though there are obviously PLENTY of people out there with a great work ethic who are incredibly intelligent who have little or no schooling), but otherwise, it doesn't have that much meaning.

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9. 60

   KK Trainorposted 12 years ago

   It doesn't make you better, it makes you better educated.

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10. 75

    Goodpalposted 12 years ago

    Degrees have nothing to do with better development as a human being. You often find people with low education who are well mannered and wonderful. It is also not uncommon to find doctorates and medical doctors who are hardly cultured.
    
    I think it all depends on people; mature people can use their higher education and better knowledge for the good of everybody.

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11. 62

    Pollyannalanaposted 12 years ago

    They certainly made a big decision even if it meant big bucks, I think if they are a kind and understanding person it gives them one up, but I think we all know that mostly it makes them very uncaring of the peoples they treat, feelings. I have met very few really good doctors telling me they should have chosen another profession.

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12. 61

    duffsmomposted 12 years ago

    I'm not sure there is a common belief that PhD's are better than the rest of us.  It does mean that they have gone to more schooling than many of us and may have an extended knowledge in their field--but no, they are not better than the rest of us.

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13. 86

    gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

    They are only better educated and more financially successful.  Being educated is a wonderful thing.  I do not why American society is so biased against the highly educated and intellectual.   I believe that people have a deep seated animus against highly educated, cultured, and intellectual people.

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14. 61

    nightwork4posted 12 years ago

    when the day comes that i think someone is better then others due to education or job title will be the day when i give up on life and that will never happen.

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15. 0

    wilbury4posted 12 years ago

    Better in a sense that they may be more knowledgeable in their field, but better as a person I would say definitely not

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16. 61

    cooldadposted 12 years ago

    It just depends on the person.  When I was in college, education degrees were one of the easiest to attain.  But, getting a Master's or PHD, that's a different story.  There is a level of commitment involved with getting advanced degrees that many people just don't have.
    
    Sure, there are many people who love to throw their degrees around, but really, it doesn't mean that much.
    
    I will take street smarts over a piece of paper diploma any day.  Except for medical doctors, that's a whole different story.
    
    I have a BS in Economics, but honestly don't remember much about it.  I learned more in life by living and working in the real world.  Textbooks will never be able to replace real experience.

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17. 71

    lone77starposted 12 years ago

    No, it does not. A good person can have a PhD or merely street smarts. So can a complete jerk.
    
    I've met numerous medical doctors who were complete idiots, and some who were real sweethearts.
    
    For some, the title goes to their head (ego). For some, getting a medical degree means big bucks, and that shows where their priorities are. Look at the Pharmaceuticals industry. They're not in the business to cure people, but to "maintain" their illness. What looks better on the bottom line, quick cures or lots of revenue from people who depend on a drug for the rest of their unnatural lives? PhD's work on projects like that, bless them!
    
    Some people with titles "think" they are better, but that automatically --- automatically! --- gives them the opposite effect. Like the great teacher said, those who are first (in ego, perhaps?) will be last.
    
    Just think of your own idea of what makes a hero. For me this is humility, generosity, selflessness and responsibility. This has nothing to do with a piece of paper.

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18. 0

    u01dtj6posted 12 years ago

    I totally agree with most of the answers here - just because you have a PhD doesn't mean to say your a better person in general - you are just much more knowledgeable in your field of study.

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19. 58

    PerfectJumpOffposted 12 years ago

    Great question!
    
    I've found that sometimes people get too full of themselves and judge others. No one should judge anyone only God can do that.
    It's funny those people that judge never consider that someone may be judging them also.
    
    If you're a good hearted person is better to me than a Dr or PhD in any field of study.

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20. 0

    Hellazeppposted 12 years ago

    A PhD proves that someone has studied and has the mental capacity to understand, and DOES understand a subject. To say a construction worker and a psychologist are equals is a false statement, because one is more replaceable than the other. Others have weighed in "street smarts," and that will contribute to survival, but not prosperity or continual mental prosperity. We'd all like to say that everyone is equal, but that only defends our own insecurities. But a professor at a college IS better than a high-school dropout.
    
    These arguments are only valid if "better" is defined as societal value. If by moral fiber, than we're all equally bad in THAT respect.
    
    In short, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

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21. 61

    tlcsposted 9 years ago

    My answer would be the more knowledge and experience you have the better position you would be in to comment on a particular subject.

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