Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
Does a degree only hold respect from others with degrees?
Does a degree only hold respect from others with degrees?
It appears in my real world experience and on-line experience that uneducated individuals do not hold much regard for a college level education or the statements made by those with the education. This baffles me as I would not disregard my plumbers statements on my plumbing, his education in that area is much more valid than mine.
I am not saying that an education makes a person better in any way, but it does provide them with knowledge that is more thorough in regards to their given field of study.
Given this, am I correct in my observation, or am I only seeing the extreme examples? If you agree or disagree with this attitude, your thoughts would be appreciated.
Gender: Unspecified Location: With Cinderella and the 9 Dwarves
First, I think we need to separate the terms degree and education. You can be educated without having a degree. And you can be uneducated and still have a degree.
I personally respect knowledge and I respect people that are able to present their knowledge, I won't jsut respect someone for having a degree though.
My respect has to be earned, you don't get it because of your background and I personally like ti believe that my sense of who knows his stuff and who doesn't works well enough.
A degree shouldn't give a person respect by default. it's just a piece of paper saying they read some books and retained some information long enough to pass some tests. Has shit to do with intelligence or the warrant of respect.
the fact that someone gets a degree is only proof that they can apply themselves with some measure of dedication
employers who ask for people with degree level education dont really care what the degree is...just that the potential employee has got one...this is because most jobs require "on the job" training
obviously some more specialised careers need more specific skills from certain courses...science for instance
i am in the middle of a forensic science honours degree myself...and while this could lead to scenes of crime or forensic lab work it could also lead into the pharmacuetical industry...the oil industry or any other science based industry
Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
I have a doctorate. IMO any position requiring a doctorate is requiring the education, and just any degree will not work. So, given this, is there distinction to Graduate work beyond what people give to bachelors degrees?
an offshoot of another debate in which the opponent copped out and ran.
a person with a degree certainly (hopefully) has more knowledge on a topic than someone without. (depending on the topic, of coarse, since a black man in georgia probably knows far more about racism than a white guy from new york who studied racism)
respect is not the issue. the issue is proof and evidence to support one's opinion. when a court of law brings in an expert, that expert is required to give more than just an opinion. a forensics expert doesnt just sit at the witness stand and say "i think he did/didnt do it" and get up and walk away, case closed. they must present evidence to support their opinion. i cant think of a single forum for debate where a person is above having to back up any claims. i cant think of a single instance where "because i said so" is acceptable proof of validity.........parenting aside, of coarse
Gender: Unspecified Location: With Cinderella and the 9 Dwarves
Yeah, I thought so, but the words were kind of mixed up, I just thought I'd point it out.
A degree as such. Not necessarily. It might be part of my first impression as will other things I know of a person, but I try to judge by what I personally experience with a person. I think it is usually relatively easy to determine the intelligence of a person by talking to them. And over some time one will also find out if they are knowledgeable. I wouldn't disregard an opinion because someone that never attended a University had it and I also wouldn't subscribe to one just because it came from an academic. It is of course true that an academic usually had access to more information and might therefore have an accurate opinion, but if that is the case they could just as well present it to me, I don't see the point to give anyone extraordinary credit. just seems pointless.
Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
This is an offshoot of that debate. It became obvious that it was going nowhere, I did not "cop and run."
I started this one because I am interested in the subject of respect given to a degreed individual. The consideration that began this thread was a result of our debate, but this is not that debate. Do not turn it back to the other debate, this is separate and distinct in its intent.
Gender: Unspecified Location: With Cinderella and the 9 Dwarves
I am sorry, but I can not respond to that in a manner that would be respectful or not insulting, I tried, but I can't. Please don't see that as chickening out, I don't think it is.
indeed...but very few positions "require" a pHD and those that do obviously have to be specific...a person with a doctorate in mathematics isn't suitable for a medical position for instance
but in terms of the general population of jobs....middle management in retail and office enviroments for example...degrees are sought merely as a way of proving a persons ability to apply themselves to a task
perfect example being the company i work for...Tesco...britains biggest supermarket chain
they have a graduate programme for potential managers and so far the only people i know who have participated had computing dergees...
its vaguely applicable but certainly not specific to business management
its the same thing. refer to those without a degree as "uneducated" and those with a degree as "educated", as if the sum of all education is found in school.
and yes, i have a degree, but no, i wont tell you as it doesnt matter.
an opinion with no evidence to support it is no more or less valid than anyone else's which has no proof/evidence. just hot air.
Often, those without degrees find those with degrees intimidating, so the lack of respect can be a defense mechanism.
On the other hand, often it seems the higher the degree, the more of a rectal orifice the degree-holder can be. Having a degree doesn't necessarily mean you're smart; it means you're educated. And not having a degree doesn't necessarily mean you're not smart. College isn't for everyone.
IMO, the bottom-line is the people involved. Showing respect, from one person to another, will often transcend who has a degree and who doesn't.
That aside, I am reminded of this fictional account...
Two men are sitting next to each other on a plane and start talking. In the course of conversation, one asks the other what he does for a living.
The guy answers, "I'm a novelist."
The other says, "Oh, I always wanted to write a book but never found the time."
To which the novelist asked, "Oh? What do you do?"
"I'm a doctor."
"Ah. Yeah, I wanted to do that but never found the time to learn and practice medicine."
__________________
Shinier than a speeding bullet.
KMC Community Forums
Aug 1st, 2006 10:23 PM
but I have a degree. I know what a pain in the butt it is to do what it takes to get a degree, so I respect it.
