I have noticed in the last few years how people tend to give themselves titles. They seem to have a need to identify themselves with their occupation, hobbies or interests. I have read where many surnames came about that way. Names like Miller, Potter, Cooper and Tailor. Makes sense to me and I can easily understand why that would have come about. Then it made sense to further identify just what Miller, Tailor, Cooper or Smith you wanted. Of course as time went on the Miller no longer Milled or the Tailor no longer tailored. Then different languages began to mingle as the people moved about and the meaning of that surname became lost. It no longer served as an identifier. You no longer knew what to expect! Or more properly I suppose, who to expect as far as their occupational skill set. I'm thinking that is when advertising began. I posted some visual representation of what goods or services I could provide.
Maybe that is why this trend to give ourselves titles has come about. It is a means to identify our expertise in a certain field. That is certainly the intent when we add all those " degrees " after our name. MD, PhD, BS, BA, and the list goes on. They are there to tell others our level of education. But what of those that have no legitimate claim to such letters? Some just start calling themselves something. Artist, Author, Mechanic, Electrician, and a host of other trades that don't necessarily require those letters after their names. Also they are names that can not be disputed. If you say you are an Artist, you're an artist. Still I see another trend developing, the ability to gain letters for those titles through some form of formal education, even when the formal education can be obtained online! No need to go to a classroom, just do it in pajamas in your living room. Complete the required course of study, pay the fee, and receive a degree entitling you to add letters after your name. You can gain a title. Fact is you can just purchase the degree you desire without any education at all. At least you can buy the paper saying so. Pick a college or University, your choice. I'm thinking the first title to be given was Teacher. That's because, in essence, what is a teacher? One who instructs others seems like a good definition. The Teacher has the answers to the questions. Usually they are the only acceptable answer, any other is wrong.
Following the teacher the next title had to be philosopher. A philosopher just thinks about stuff and provides what may or may not be the answer. That's what they do. Certainly any philosopher worth his salt will argue that his philosophy is the correct one, otherwise, what's the point? But the philosopher will not proclaim it is the only answer, just the right answer. One of the most famous philosophers was Socrates. If you remember we was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and a trial was held. Plato subsequently wrote down what Socrates said in his defense, and it was called an apology.
In Greek the word apology means an explanation. Socrates just explained what he was teaching to his students. Problem was he wasn't the " teacher " and so his answers weren't considered valid by the judges. Thing was, they didn't agree with his philosophy. Socrates was mainly concerned with Ethics, the way people should behave. Perhaps his most radical idea was that knowledge had to sought, not taught! Now that would certainly upset the teachers of the day. Probably still upset teachers to this day truth be told. He questioned everything and anything. Yes, in the end it got him killed, well " suicided " anyway. He was sentenced to death and being a man of honor and integrity he just killed himself!
Now a teacher needs a degree to teach, at least to teach as a profession. That education validates their expertise in that area. Does a philosopher need a degree to philosophize? No, I don't they do. That's simply because there is no occupation as Philosopher. No one hires a philosopher to philosophize. But what if they did? What qualification would you have to have? I suppose you would have to have whatever education the teacher said you needed. You can obtain a degree in philosophy, but you can't work as a philosopher. But who teaches the teacher to teach philosophy? I tend to agree with Socrates on this one; knowledge can't be taught, it must be sought. He thought only through self examination can one really learn about life and what living means. Why is he known as a philosopher and not a teacher? Well it's just because many people don't like the answers is all. That's my thinking on it anyway. Am I a philosopher? No, I don't think so, but then again that's my philosophy.
Maybe that is why this trend to give ourselves titles has come about. It is a means to identify our expertise in a certain field. That is certainly the intent when we add all those " degrees " after our name. MD, PhD, BS, BA, and the list goes on. They are there to tell others our level of education. But what of those that have no legitimate claim to such letters? Some just start calling themselves something. Artist, Author, Mechanic, Electrician, and a host of other trades that don't necessarily require those letters after their names. Also they are names that can not be disputed. If you say you are an Artist, you're an artist. Still I see another trend developing, the ability to gain letters for those titles through some form of formal education, even when the formal education can be obtained online! No need to go to a classroom, just do it in pajamas in your living room. Complete the required course of study, pay the fee, and receive a degree entitling you to add letters after your name. You can gain a title. Fact is you can just purchase the degree you desire without any education at all. At least you can buy the paper saying so. Pick a college or University, your choice. I'm thinking the first title to be given was Teacher. That's because, in essence, what is a teacher? One who instructs others seems like a good definition. The Teacher has the answers to the questions. Usually they are the only acceptable answer, any other is wrong.
Following the teacher the next title had to be philosopher. A philosopher just thinks about stuff and provides what may or may not be the answer. That's what they do. Certainly any philosopher worth his salt will argue that his philosophy is the correct one, otherwise, what's the point? But the philosopher will not proclaim it is the only answer, just the right answer. One of the most famous philosophers was Socrates. If you remember we was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and a trial was held. Plato subsequently wrote down what Socrates said in his defense, and it was called an apology.
In Greek the word apology means an explanation. Socrates just explained what he was teaching to his students. Problem was he wasn't the " teacher " and so his answers weren't considered valid by the judges. Thing was, they didn't agree with his philosophy. Socrates was mainly concerned with Ethics, the way people should behave. Perhaps his most radical idea was that knowledge had to sought, not taught! Now that would certainly upset the teachers of the day. Probably still upset teachers to this day truth be told. He questioned everything and anything. Yes, in the end it got him killed, well " suicided " anyway. He was sentenced to death and being a man of honor and integrity he just killed himself!
Now a teacher needs a degree to teach, at least to teach as a profession. That education validates their expertise in that area. Does a philosopher need a degree to philosophize? No, I don't they do. That's simply because there is no occupation as Philosopher. No one hires a philosopher to philosophize. But what if they did? What qualification would you have to have? I suppose you would have to have whatever education the teacher said you needed. You can obtain a degree in philosophy, but you can't work as a philosopher. But who teaches the teacher to teach philosophy? I tend to agree with Socrates on this one; knowledge can't be taught, it must be sought. He thought only through self examination can one really learn about life and what living means. Why is he known as a philosopher and not a teacher? Well it's just because many people don't like the answers is all. That's my thinking on it anyway. Am I a philosopher? No, I don't think so, but then again that's my philosophy.
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