Stupid argument from US right-wingers who want to put down Jill Biden: "She shouldn't have Dr in front of her name because she's not a REAL doctor. She doesn't deliver babies or anything." Some history: the word "Doctor" is derived from the Latin verb "docere", which means 1/5
"To teach". A PhD, short for Philosophiae Doctor (Doctor of Philosophy), is awarded to individuals who are highly educated and have the qualifications to be outstanding teachers. Medical practitioners were not referred to as "doctors" until fairly recently. 2/5
They are more properly called "Physicians", unless they have the advanced education, beyond an MD, which makes them a PhD. A degree to practice medicine is a professional degree, but it is not a doctorate. The shift to calling physicians "doctor" in English-speaking countries 3/5
Began in the mid-18th century when medical practitioners divided into specializations. Some would be surgeon-apothecaries (i.e. pharmacists, which did not require a university degree) and these would be called "Mr", and others went to university to study medicine and 4/5
Adopted the title of "Dr" to differentiate themselves from those who were less educated practitioners. People with PhDs are REAL doctors. MDs are physicians. It's not a contest, both are important. But it's very ignorant to attack
PhDs this way. Here endeth the lecture. 5/5
PhDs this way. Here endeth the lecture. 5/5
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