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Hey Dudes,
So, I stumbled into this a few weeks ago and I do find this super cool, man – Dudeism in itself really speaks to me and I find myself drawn to it so I got myself ordained the other day! Now, a week or so ago I found this, the AUI. I love the premise of this, because it’s a fun novelty but it also feels like a statement. It’s like the page says, the title of “Doctor” has become worn down, and with celebrities getting handed PhD’s left right and center they do lose their impact.
Now, on that note, I do ponder the, uh, function of the AUI handing out honorary PhDs the way it does. The page states that you can officially call yourself a doctor with a PhD, a Philosophical Doctorate, once you have your degree – and that’s cool, man, but I’m just thinking, is it that easy? I feel like there’d be limitations, like, legal ones. How does it all work, you know? It feels like there’s a catch. It reminds me of those websites that lets you buy a plot of land in Scotland so you can legally call yourself a “Lord” or “Lady”, but those turn out to be scams and the best you can do in most cases is get called a “lair”, because the higher titles are – unsurprisingly – pretty limited.
Y’know? I mean, if it is what it is then that’s awesome, hell, I’d argue it’s an incentive for me to write up some papers on Leisure Science if I preemptively get the honorary degree for it. I’m just curious how it works, that’s all. Can I really, legally, after getting a degree just go out and call myself “Dr Coyotemation, Ph.D”?
Take it easy! ✌️
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Coyotemation You make a good point. I agree with you on this issue, what I have to offer is this. So much of this world is mired in BS. The integrity of a thing is up to the intent and honesty of the one practicing the activity. I have a AUI PhD in Philosophy, Dudeist Studies. In my life journey I feel I have earned this. As a practicing Dudeist Monk, (I am a priest in The Church of the Latter Day Dude, I prefer the moniker of Monk), I try to live a life of honesty, fairness, and I try to expound on the true meaning of being a good person to all. If I can impart some wisdom or help bring good advice to someone I do that. Isn’t that what philosophers do? Some may see this as a joke, and to some it may be. I live it. So it is no joke to me. I leave you with this. A man asked a Wise man what the secret to happiness was? The Wise man simply said “Do not argue with fools.” The man replied “I disagree.” The Wise answered ” Your right.” I learned that from the Dudeist Facebook page. My point is you can say you are a chicken, the question is what are you doing about it.
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The main thing to remember is that it is an honorary degree from a non-accredited university and in non-traditional fields.
As for the legality of it, what are you planning on doing with your title? Calling yourself Doctor with your honorary phd from a non-accredited school seems perfectly fine to me. The only hang up I could see is if you, yourself, try to scam people using your title. But, then again, I didn’t go to law school so what do I know?
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Yeah, I’m aware of the difference, I did the searching around because it seemed “iffy” at a first glance. I mean, man, I’m not trying to scam anyone here, obviously. If it’s actually doable then I think it’s a fun novelty, as long as it actually holds “weight”, y’know? I love novelty stuff like this, so like I said with my comparison to the “title deeds” you can buy in Scotland to call yourself a lord there were crackdowns and it turned out they’re really bogus when you look at it and you can’t actually call yourself a “Lord” because that title has legal limitations, so that took some fun out of that.
And I mean, outside of selecting the title in place of “Mr.” in the occasional registration form on websites or stuff like that, or for the sake of conversation, y’know, it’s a fun starter or topic, I don’t exactly have any grand schemes – that’d be pretty un-dude of me to begin with. But y’know, I think it’s reasonable for me to look at something like this and be a little skeptical of the in’s and out’s! 😛
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I feel, as long as you say you have your “honorary” degree and not just your degree, that will suffice in most (if not all) cases. I personally wouldn’t put the title on anything official since it wasn’t earned. But in regards to friends and whatnot it’s perfectly fine.
I think we are on the same page here.
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Heyo,
I think it’s just a cool conversation point. 🙂
I’ve got mine in a frame on the wall. People are like “Hey, you’re a Doctor” and then I’m like “Well, in a manner….” then I get to tell them about Dudeism. 😉
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I think as long as you are not charging people for your advice, or counsel there should be no issue. I mean every ass hole has an opinion and as a dude I am all for freedom of speech man. Its just when you add money to the equation people get touchie. As a Priest of The Church of the Latter day Dude you can charge for conducting a wedding ceremony. You need to go to your city hall and make sure you cross your “T,s” and dot your “I,s” in the legal arena first. CYA baby. But what do I know I only have a “honorary degree” from the 50 plus years I have walked this earth.
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[quote quote=25067]Heyo,
I think it’s just a cool conversation point.
I’ve got mine in a frame on the wall. People are like “Hey, you’re a Doctor” and then I’m like “Well, in a manner….” then I get to tell them about Dudeism.
[/quote]Yeah, this is how I look at it too, it’s a cool conversation starter, a fun little gimmick, man. Gets people talking a bit. I’ve got both my ordination and honorary degree plaqued on my desk at work, I’ve got a question or two about it, it’s fun!
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Like others said, as long as you’re not trying to abuse it (by claiming any academic qualifications), you’re fine. You could use the title “Doctor/Dr” because it’s a real honorary degree. It does also depend on where you live. Some countries require you to specify, such as Dr.h.c. or Dr.(h.c.) for honoris causa. You could also put “Hon” before your degree to specify that.
That being said, there are many celebrities and Special People who have received and used honorary titles. Mark Twain received a DLitt from Oxford. Edwin Land, co-founder of Polaroid, was awarded one. Dr Billy Graham, world famous minister, only earned a bachelor’s in anthropology.
They’re usually PhD, EdD, DD, ScD, LittD, LHD, or something specific like musical ones. For instance, a famous musician could be awarded one for contributing to the world of music.
So… is it legal? Yes. Can you use the title Doctor? Depends on your jurisdiction. Is it iffy? It can be, if you try to pass it off as an academic degree. Most I know are aware mine are honorary, and if asked I’ll say yes, it’s honorary. But would you doubt a traditional minister who uses RevDr as a title?
Besides… it’s pretty damn cool to have a reason to be called “Doc” like a lot of my friends have been doing for years. May as well have the proof! 🙂
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, although I studied law. Can’t answer much more beyond this.
PhD = doctor of philosphy; not technically for philosophy but from the origin of the word meaning “love of wisdom”. EdD = doctor of education. DD = doctor of divinity. ScD = doctor of science; like a PhD but for science and scientific achievements or also for academic study. LittD = doctor of letters; like a PhD but for humanities or an academic degree. LHD = doctor of humane letters; almost always honorary; for stuff that’s not science, religion, humanities, literature, or government.
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Piping up a year later to say,
I have some graduate degrees from traditional schools, and because I work for an organization that tends to attract high-powered type-A people, we all have our diplomas framed and hanging in our offices. I put my honorary PhD in Earthology right up there with the rest. It’s a reminder to me to keep a sense of humor. And, on the rare occasions when someone actually looks at my stuff and says “Oh, you have a doctorate!”, I get to be a brand ambassador for AUI. It gets a good laugh and has helped me identify the Lebowski fans at work.
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Look Dude,
As fellas wiser than me already said, as long as you’re not trying to harm anyone or try to scam anyone into believing you have a qualification you don’t have, don’t worry about it.
I have my honorary degree in Leisure Science hanging on my office wall, next to my certificate of Ordination and my citizenship certificate of Dudeland.
My peers at the grinder are fully aware that I’m a practicing Dudeist and they’re all cool with it and with all my honorary and other titles.
They’re also cool with the statement my degrees make:
Degrees and titles are too often a bit overrated.
Do no harm, have some fun and just take it easy.
Lord Reverend Otto Baumgartner of Galloway, Ph. D
(because of course I own land in Scotland, man)
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I love the fact that I now have much more interest in the fields I have degrees for. That wouldn’t have happened without first having the novelty factor.
A great momentum and potential boost.
I don’t want a PhD to stick needles in people.
I want one to stop people sticking needles in people and use words first.
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