Mister, Doctor, or Does it Matter?
My mother was the secretary at Glennwood Baptist Church in Morris, Alabama for about eight or nine years. My parents attended Glennwood for a while, and the pastor (David Bays) is someone I respect and admire very greatly. Even when I moved to St. Louis, after I got married, and after Shannon and I moved to Memphis, we continued to get a newsletter from Glennwood, and I enjoyed staying abreast of what is going on there. The newsletters that came to our house changed shortly after I defended my dissertation in May, 2006. “Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur Carden” became “Dr. and Mrs. William Arthur Carden.” In trademark display of motherly pride, I’m sure Mom really enjoyed changing “Mr.” to “Dr.” in the church’s mail-merge.
Getting a PhD is an accomplishment and it is rightly something to be proud of; however, it also provides, for many, an occasion for conceit bordering on arrogance and tactlessness. A few days before Christmas in 2007, I was flipping through my in-laws’ copy of the Birmingham News when I came across a letter to “Miss Manners” from someone who had sent a Christmas card to a cousin with a PhD. The card had been addressed to “Mr. So-and-so” rather than “Dr. So-and-so.” Instead of responding with grace, as one might have hoped that someone of Dr. So-and-so’s high stature would, apparently he wrote back with a self-addressed envelope to “Dr. So-and-so,” a copy of his diploma, and a note saying that it is customary to refer to someone of his stature as “Dr. So-and-so” or “Firstname So-and-so, PhD.”
My thought: wow. That’s pretty insecure.
This caught my eye in part because I’ll admit, I sometimes chafe–with tongue planted firmly in cheek–at getting stuff addressed to “Mr. Carden” when I have earned the right to be addressed as “Dr. Carden,” presumably. When I get arrogant about it, I remember Michael Myers in one of the Austin Powers movies as “Dr. Evil,” reminding people that he “didn’t spend five years in Evil medical school to be called mister, thank you very much.” What a joke.
Economist Tyler Cowen has blogged about how, apparently, people who conspicuously refer to themselves as “Dr.” or “Firstname Lastname, PhD” are often those with arguments or claims that are somewhat weak and that need to be bolstered with an air of authority. While I will admit that qualifications and affiliations are important signals—I’m much more likely to listen to a PhD economist at Harvard in a discussion of the minimum wage than I am to listen to someone who has never taken an economics class but nonetheless maintains a very strong opinion about the subject—reliance on authority is the weakest form of argument or evidence. There are a lot of smart people saying a lot of very off-base things. Nonetheless, they have the credentials to back themselves up. As people stay in school longer and as life expectancies increase, the letters “PhD” will come to have far less signaling value.
Dr. F.A. Hayek’s Nobel Prize address was entitled “the pretence of knowledge,” and while it sought to upbraid those who thought that central planning (or coherent macroeconomic policy) were possible, it speaks today to those who think they are something when they are not. Just because you have a PhD doesn’t mean that you have automatically earned glory, respect, and approbation. While it is customary (and wise) for people to address you properly or defer to you in areas where you have expertise, it is grotesquely immature to insist upon it.
So what’s the message, then, to the newly-minted PhD and to those around people who have doctorates? For the friend or relative, it is customary to refer to someone as “Doctor” in formal communication. This doesn’t give someone the right to get his or her underwear bunched up if someone forgets to say “Doctor” or “PhD” or “Grand Poo-bah” or what have you. If you have something important to say, let that stand on its own merits. If you want to be respected and loved, be respectable and loveable. Don’t rely on the fact that you spent five, six, seven, or however many years grinding away at a graduate degree to earn your favor in another’s eyes.
WRITER'S BIOGRAPHY
Art Carden
Art Carden is Assistant Professor of Economics and Business at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and an Adjunct Fellow with the Oakland, California-based Independent Institute. His research papers have been published or are forthcoming in Public Choice, Contemporary Economic Policy, the International Journal of Social Economics, the Business and Society Review, the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Review of Austrian Economics, and other outlets, and they can be found on his SSRN Author Page. His commentaries appear regularly atwww.mises.org and in newspapers around the country, and he is a regular contributor to Division of Labour. He and his wife, Shannon, had their first child in July, 2008.
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Comments
Yes, But Still... says on February 9th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Well said!
timgray says on February 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
The only people I ever address as Doctor or Dr. is those that have EARNED my respect. My personal dentist and family doctor are the only two outside of the few prof’s at college that made a major impression on me.
Also if they “demand” I call them Doctor, I refuse to and will never refer to them as such. They should have received social interaction and tact classes to go with their Phd.
J.R. Craft, Ph.D. says on February 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Bravo!
Brandon says on February 9th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
This reminds me of my elementary school principal. “Dr. Doreen Housel” Growing up, kids assume Doctor = White Coat, gives shots. Why would we call the principal Doctor? We didn’t understand the Ph.D. designation and would call her “Miss Housel” and she would sharply reply “Its *DOCTOR* Housel” and refuse to respond unless ‘appropriately’ addressed.
I like the late Randy Pausch’s comment from his mother regarding introducing him after getting his Ph.D.: “He’s a doctor… but not the kind that helps people.”
J C___ter, Ph.D. says on February 9th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
“it is grotesquely immature to insist upon it.”
Generally that’s right, but I very recently found myself confronted with an enormously arrogant medical professional who referred to himself as Dr. B__land, but consistently addressed me by my first name. When he failed to provide even minimally satisfactory service — really, does it take 2 months to read an MRI? — I left his office. But on the way out I added, “And I’m tired of being called by my first name. It’s Dr. C__ter.” I wonder whether he would have been quicker if I’d insisted on that in our first meeting.
Anon says on February 9th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I’ve always found it odd that someone would refer to Mr and Mrs John Smith – that the woman disappears and becomes just an extension of John Smith’s life because she married him. As I kid I used to be really perplexed that my grandmother (a doctor) and her husband were addressed in the form Mr and Doctor John Smith.
Even at that young age I wasn’t too keen on Mr outranking Mrs, but surely if it does then Dr should outrank Mr and they should have been addressed in the form Dr and Mr Susan Smith?
Art Carden says on February 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
The comments reminded of some advice I got from a friend when I finished my PhD. She said “use the ‘Doctor’ thing for all it’s worth” and noted that she got better service at the doctor’s office and other places when she called and said something like “Hi, this is Doctor Soandso. May I speak to Doctor Mydoc?”
Claire says on February 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I think this reveals more about your own insecurities than anything else — this article really, really saddened me. I am 22 years old and currently writing my proposal for a PhD — something I want to undertake because my dream career is in adult teaching of an academic subject (Literature), and because I love learning. I couldn’t care less about the letters that will come after my name in three years’ time, and it was depressing to discover that other people see those letters as the main motivation for studying a PhD. It’s 3+ years of hard graft at the highest educational level you can get to. It’s also seriously expensive. The only people go through all that do it just for a little line of letters? I don’t really think so…
Jennifer says on February 9th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I generally agree but also can really relate to the last few comments – I only make a point of using “Doctor” with people who are clearly so arrogant that it’s the only way to take them down a peg. I also tend to make a point of telling my students to call me Professor or Doctor because I just find it so disrespectful for them to call me by my first name (which I think they do because I look relatively young for a prof).
Hutch says on February 9th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
The whole title thing is such phooey. My wife and I have PhD’s, so should we be “Dr. and Dr. Fred Flinstone”? No. “Dr. Wilma Bedrock and Dr. Fred Flinstone”? Ugh.
What is I didn’t have a PhD? “Mr. and Dr. Fred Flinstone”???
Just call us Wilma & Fred.
JoAnna says on February 10th, 2009 at 2:35 am
If it’s a professional title, use it (or insist that it be used) when your profession requires it. Otherwise, be a human being and treat everyone with honor and respect.
When I call clients, for example, I say, Hello, this is Chef JoAnna…so they know who the heck is calling…but I’d never insist on being addressed as “chef”!
My dilemma is that some of my friends call me ‘Chef’ or introduce me as Chef JoAnna, but no matter how many times I tell them, “Just JoAnna, please,” they won’t stop.
angelvalerie says on February 10th, 2009 at 3:09 am
As someone who will shortly being entering the rarefied atmosphere of being titled with “Dr” I wholeheartedly agree with this article. I am in essence the same person I always was, I just completed some study is all….
Paul says on February 10th, 2009 at 8:28 am
When I received my PhD I was pretty keen to change Credit Cards etc but once the hassle became apparent I quickly lost interest!
I don’t generally tend to ‘use’ my doctorate, and certainly never insist upon it! Having said that, if there’s a box that says “Mr/Miss/Mrs/Dr” I’ll choose Dr – why not, I earned it?
I do find it interesting when other people use it, introducing me for example – I generally prefer to be known in the less formal “firstname secondname” way. If you’re not going to say “Mr John Smith” why do you need to say “Dr Fred Jones”?
Oh, and my fave description of a PhD? “A doctor without patients” ;).
Brad says on February 10th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I have struggled with this since I have been in practice. Whenever I go into a room with a new patient, I always feel awkward introducing myself as “Dr. Johnson “. I am much more comfortable saying “Hi, I am Brad”. I am very comfortable with this, but are the patients comfortable? I fear that they may not look at me as a professional or take me serious enough. I always think back to a friend who told me “who you are as a person, precedes who you are as a doctor”.
Dave says on February 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I was so excited when I graduated that I could finally use the title Doctor, I have to admit I like to see it with my name on mail or in an email, but I do not insist that anyone use it. I prefer that people use my first name though, the first time Doctor is okay, but after that please just call me Dave or David. The greatest feeling I get is when I help someone solve a problem and afterwards they realize that I have a PhD (I still look too young to some people) and they are proud that a “Doctor” took the time to help them out and treated them with respect. The only time I ever get a little touchy about it is when I go to another department on campus to get something or meet with someone and a secretary snubs me or treats me like I am subhuman because they assume I am a student or think because I may not dress the part that they can get away with being rude to me, then I may just come out and say that I am Dr. So and So. In those cases I am madder that the person gets away with treating people badly based on their status.
Chris says on February 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Whenever, I am called Mr. “Jones”, I reply. Mr. “Jones” was my father. Call me Dr. “Jones”.” ;-)
Ggggggg says on February 11th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Doctor is used professionally when you are in a professional situation, professional or academic. Doctor is used socially only for medical doctors (dentists, podiatrists, and veterinarians may as well…I suppose). I suspect that this is because physicians, etc, typically must have achieved certain universal qualifications. The problem is that PhD’s from tiny sectarian seminaries or in fields like education are a far cry from, say, a PhD in physics or history from Princeton.
As an aside, the few PhDs or EdDs who’ve referred to themselves as “doctor” when seeing me have ended up looking like idiots when I explained things in medical terminology, only to be stopped and ask to simplify since their degree was in physical education from NW South Dakota Tech. Outside the office, I prefer “Mr.” lest I be asked for opinions about bursitis or hair loss.
Ggggggg says on February 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Oh, and as an aside, we do occasionally get folks who “use it for all it’s worth,” and try to get by standard patient filters by referring to themselves as “Doctor Wannabe.” It’s only successful once, and you’ll be made fun of behind your back forever after.
Patrick says on February 11th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
PhD’s are not called “Doctor” outside an academic setting–socially, they are called by the honorifics “Mr”, “Mrs”, or “Ms”–whichever is appropriate/preferred. Only MD’s are called “Doctor” socially. Why? I do not know.
JCMasterpiece says on February 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Referring to someone as Dr. is a form of respect. I find it interesting that this generation has moved so much away from common forms of respect. Almost no one calls themselves Mr or Mrs or requires children to refer to them this way even though it is an issue of respect. On the flip side i also notice that children of this generation don’t treat adults with nearly as much respect as previous generations. Many times they don’t treat them with the respect that they deserve. I believe that this issue is very much a part of the root of that problem.
The title Dr. is a title of respect. It is something that is earned due to hard work and proving ability and knowledge. Just like the President has earned the title Mr. President and those who have been knighted earned the title Sir. When we purposely forgo those earned titles we in part disrespect the work and effort put into achieving that title.
I believe that titles should be used more often and not less.
Scout says on February 12th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
As a 43 year old student, I understand the hard work that goes into gaining a Phd. But, being an older student I am also in the same age bracket as most of my profs. I have asked two of my instructors if I may call them by name outside of the classroom, by which I mean when having a one on one conversation with them. One said sure, the other said that that was a line that she did not want to cross. In fact, she seemed vaguely offended that I would ask.
Personally, I feel asked to open myself to the instructor, to be a vessel to be filled, which is a fairly intimate gesture. Furthermore, I am assessed by my instructors which puts me in a position of appeasement. So, each time I address my teacher I am reminded that he or she is a doctor and I am a D.a.P. (dumb ass peon).
Graduate says on February 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I spent many, many more years at University than a medical doctor and feel more than entitled to use the honourific, Dr, whenever I so choose. The US may distinguish between social and professional usage but this is not necessarily the norm in other countries and it depends upon the context. I am usually introduced as Dr, have it on my business cards etc but I use my first name in most social situations unless the other person choses to use an honourific and then I do too. And this crap that medical doctors put out about their being the better qualification, is crazy. PhD’s are up to 7 years in length and I had to prove an original contribution to the global body of knowledge. Medical doctors don’t.
Rebecca says on February 22nd, 2009 at 5:51 am
When I was a little girl, I was talking to my father about the difference between PhDs and MDs, since they are both doctors. He explained that my uncle, the college professor, was a PhD. I asked why he didn’t call himself “Dr.” and my father said that my uncle was too modest and down to earth to use the title. As someone embarking on her own journey toward PhD-dom, I’ve kept that comment with me all these years and hope to emulate my uncle’s unpretentious attitude. Not using the title “Doctor” in every day life doesn’t devalue anyone’s accomplishments or education.
Fah Queue says on February 25th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I’m on my way to a PhD and I don’t plan on requiring people to address me by that title. I wonder if my generation is less likely to actually “use” their Dr title. Dr or not, the title doesn’t define me.
Twin XL says on May 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Excellent post- very well said!
Kevin says on July 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Yes, I agree. One of my personal pet peeves is whenever someone is completely comfortable addressing you by your first name and expects to be addressed formally by you. When you address someone else informally, you give implied permission for the to reciprocate. We do not live in a caste system, I reject attempts at social stratification. If someone has an advanced degree, I properly defer to their learning in relevant discussions, but refuse to wholly subordinate myself to them. Often, I find that I’m more educated on random topics not associated with their field of expertise.