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Honorary Degree?

Sometimes I often hear of someone popular getting an honorary degree. Do you think there is really any merit behind this? Supposed it is an honorary PhD... should I refer to the person as Dr. 'name' when I know they had no formal training? What is your view on it?

Degree Honorary

I have never really understood this. Sometimes, it is conferred upon someone who has done something noteworthy in that field, but often it is just for publicity for the school. I think some do believe they should be referred to as having a PhD., but I wonder how someone who had actually gone to school to earn their PhD. would feel about this. It doesn't seem right to me.

Honorary Degree? UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

Well I understand the reasoning behind it... for example... Michael Jackson could probably get an honorary degree from any college simply because of his fame, knowledge, experience, etc. He could probably teach the local professor a thing or two, so in this I understand, BUT the degree bestowed should be conditional to them taking even it were just some routine classes or something rather that just given.... otherwise what is the use if they can't spell, write or read properly?

Degree Honorary

Not really, since they aren't quilified. Plus, it degrades the integrity of the degree itself to a point.

Degree Honorary

Here is the definition of honorary:

honorary - given as an honor without the normal duties; "an honorary degree"
unearned - not gained by merit or labor or service;

Since a honorary degree would be given 'without the normal duties' and 'not gained by merit or labor or service' then it should not be recognized in the same fashion as one that is not honorary ie, earned and worked for.

ref: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/honorary

Edited: malexander on 31st Jul, 2004 - 12:38am

Honorary Degree?

Good point Malexander, but you may wish to add where you get that reference from. I believe that there should still be some kind of statement of how the person 'qualifies' for such a degree - in other words - what is its' value if something is giving without merit? Could the person use the 'title' to look for work? The reason I make such a big deal about it is based on past experience of seeing how people used their honorary degree.

Honorary Degree

Most times, the honorary degree is awarded to a famous person, because of a visit to the university by that person. I have also seen instances where honorary degrees have been awarded to professors who teach at the university but did not earn their degrees there, as a way of allowing them to join the alumnus. In those cases, the person already has a degree and now is being honored with one as a perk. But the person earns it for already working there.

Honorary Degree Sciences Education Art Writing & UFO

I have never really understood this. Sometimes, it is conferred upon someone who has done something noteworthy in that field, but often it is just for publicity for the school. I think some do believe they should be referred to as having a PhD., but I wonder how someone who had actually gone to school to earn their PhD. would feel about this. It doesn't seem right to me.


What about people in the medicine field calling themselves doctors, and stating that people with PHD's are not REAL doctors.

I find it amusing that those with a high level of education have been set apart and given titles and the like for a VERY long time. This predates ancient Greece. Meanwhile, medical doctors started out selling potions and chipping skulls to relieve head aches. They were not, for the most part, elavated in status. I'm curious to know why the trend has changed.