Having recently moved to the USA, it has struck me how many different letters
appear behind people's names which are not awarded through accredited academic
or professional institutions.
Once upon a time, we encountered BA, BS, BSc, MS, MSc, PhD MD and a few
others, now we are confronted with almost every permutation of the English
alphabet. Some groups even award letters based on acronyms of the names of
the CEOs or course teachers.
Not so long ago, there were no such things as degrees, letters, certificates.
All the great philosophers, religious masters, scientists, doctors and so on
did not write a string of letters behind their names. This is not to
denigrate their value, since it is useful to be able to recognise the training
which your colleagues have undergone. However, degrees and letters do not
guarantee proficiency, intelligence and wisdom: sometimes the opposite is
quite true.
Why is it that many people feel inadequate or insecure unless they can write a
string of letters behind their names? Why can they not accept themselves as
they are and feel confident that what they are and what they offer is greater
than any string of institutionalised letters behind their names?
I can hardly imagine Socrates, Jesus, the Buddha, Confucius, Hippocrates,
Plato, Mohammed, Lao Tsu, Archimedes, Newton, Shakespeare and many other great
historical figures feeling the need to have a string of letters after their
names to enhance their acceptability among the public. Such folk felt entirely
secure as they were, and following generations have never even bothered to ask
anything about their qualifications. Does this not say something?
It also says something to those among us who may think that having an
accredited degree behind their names makes them any greater.
So, when you ever see a string of daunting, impressive or amusing letters
behind someone's name, simply ask which recognised institution awarded them,
how they were awarded, what they really mean and what special knowledge they
endowed. Even then, a PhD or doctorate in one field does not necessarily mean
that this endows one with knowledge across the huge spectrum of all human
knowledge.
Of course, we should know by now that all the degrees in the world do not
enhance one's morality, spirituality, personality, lovability and other traits
which make one a 'special' human being whose presence enriches the lives of
those around him/her (remember the host of highly pedigreed Nazis who made
life hell on this planet for so many people?).
So, let's start to put this degrees, letters and qualifications scheme into
the right perspective! Jane or Joe Brown can be just as special and
knowledgeable as Professor or Dr Jane or Joe Brown. Right? Certainly, if
the ritual academic or conference situation prefers the use of letters
according to tradition and etiquette, comply for those ritualised professional
reasons, but avoid the
trap of using such terms simply to enhance your image in the public eye.
Mel Siff
or
Heaven forbid! :
Prof Dr M C Siff BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD (University of the Witwatersrand)
or worse still:
Mel C Siff, M.C.S, M.S, M.E.L., S.I.F.F.
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