Introduction
Honorary doctorates are meant to honour excellence. They serve as a bridge between academia and real-world impact, celebrating individuals who have contributed meaningfully to society. However, not all honorary degrees are viewed equally. As the number of recognitions increases, so do the ethical questions that surround them.
Who deserves an honorary doctorate? Can recognitions be influenced by money or connections? Is it ethical to use the “Dr.” title after receiving one? These are not just academic debates—they impact public trust and professional credibility.
This blog dives into the ethical grey areas surrounding honorary degrees in India and globally, and reflects on how institutions and individuals can draw a clear line between genuine respect and reputational risk.
The Original Intention: Honour, Not Qualification
Honorary doctorates are not earned through traditional academic pathways. They are conferred as a gesture of honour for someone’s contributions to fields such as social service, science, business, education, or the arts. They are symbolic in nature and do not carry the academic rights of a research PhD.
When universities stick to this purpose, the recognition holds dignity. But when honorary degrees are treated like career tools or marketing assets, they lose their soul.
Ethical Questions Faced by Institutions
- Transparency in Selection
Many universities do not publicly disclose their criteria for selecting honorary doctorate recipients. This raises concerns about fairness. Was the person chosen for their work or their status? Was the process open or limited to internal recommendations?
- Commercialisation of the Honor
In recent years, some organisations have begun charging large fees under the guise of nomination or ceremonial expenses. While some of these costs are legitimate, others create an impression that the degree is being sold. This is a dangerous slope that undermines both the recipient and the institution.
- Lack of Verification
In a few unfortunate cases, honorary doctorates have been awarded without proper background checks, resulting in embarrassment when controversies later emerge about the recipient’s past. This shows a failure in ethical responsibility by the awarding body.
- Conflict of Interest
Sometimes institutions award honorary doctorates to major donors, influential politicians, or board members. While these may be well-meaning gestures, they can raise questions about whether financial or political considerations influenced the honour.
Ethical Dilemmas for Recipients
- Using the “Dr.” Prefix
Should someone with an honorary doctorate call themselves “Dr.”? Most academic circles advise against it, unless the honorary nature is clearly mentioned. Yet many recipients, knowingly or unknowingly, adopt the title in resumes and introductions, creating confusion.
- Listing It as an Academic Degree
Another issue arises when honorary doctorates are listed under formal education. This misleads potential employers, clients, or audiences into believing the person has completed a research-based PhD.
- Promoting It Without Context
If someone aggressively promotes their honorary doctorate on business cards, social media, and press releases without explanation, it blurs the line between recognition and self-marketing. Ethical recipients clarify the honorary nature, rather than use it to boost authority.
Real-World Impact of Misuse
The misuse of honorary titles can have long-term implications:
- Damage to Institutional Reputation
If a university becomes known for awarding honorary doctorates too frequently or to questionable figures, its own credibility suffers.
- Loss of Public Trust
When the public sees awards going to celebrities or influencers with little connection to community welfare or intellectual work, they may stop taking the honours seriously.
- Disrespect to Academic Scholars
PhD holders who spend years in research may feel their achievements are diluted when honorary titles are handed out casually.
- Legal Confusion
In some countries, presenting oneself as a doctor without having earned an accredited academic doctorate can attract legal scrutiny.
Drawing the Ethical Line
For universities and institutions:
- Define clear criteria for honorary recognitions and publish them.
- Set up independent committees for selection and avoid internal lobbying.
- Ensure verification of achievements and public record before conferring the award.
- Avoid monetary influence or perceived quid pro quo arrangements.
- Limit the number of honorary degrees to maintain quality and respect.
For recipients:
- Always disclose the honorary nature of the award when using the title.
- Avoid listing it under academic degrees or qualifications.
- Use it modestly and responsibly—recognition is best received with humility.
- Decline the offer if it comes from an unverified or unethical source.
- Never pay to obtain an honorary doctorate—fees should be for documentation or events, not for the title itself.
How the Public Can Stay Informed
As awareness grows, the public also plays a role in holding institutions and recipients accountable. Some useful steps include:
- Checking whether the awarding university is recognised by government or regulatory bodies.
- Looking at the context in which the degree was awarded—was it at a national convocation or an unknown private event?
- Searching for a published citation or video of the felicitation ceremony.
- Being cautious of social media posts that focus only on the title, not the reason for the recognition.
An informed society naturally demands higher ethical standards.
Conclusion
Honorary degrees are noble when used wisely. They celebrate the intersection of service and scholarship, reminding us that impact matters, not just credentials. But when ethics are ignored—when money, vanity, or shortcuts enter the picture—the recognition becomes hollow.
The line is simple but important: keep the honour honest. Whether you’re awarding it, receiving it, or witnessing it, let the spirit behind the degree remain untarnished. In the end, a genuine legacy is worth more than any title.