A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree awarded by universities after completing a term of study. PhDs and Doctorates are granted for programmes in a wide range of academic fields. PhD academics are often expected to do original research that advances knowledge, typically in the form of a thesis or dissertation. They defend their work in front of subject matter experts.
It is worth noting that a person who completed a master’s degree in Arts, such as MA in Sociology or English, or a master’s degree in Science, such as MSc Botany or Physics, or a master’s degree in Engineering, such as MTech in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, or a master’s degree in Management, such as MBA, is awarded a Doctor of Philosophy PhD upon completion of stipulated requirements, regardless of the nomenclature or specialisation of the academic discipline,
The objective of research in higher education is to enhance the corpus of knowledge by adding to it, questioning it in the form of theories, principles, and postulates, and so on, or reinterpreting it.
Philosophy is the cornerstone upon which critical thinking is built. It raises crucial questions and strives toward an answer. Questioning, critical discussion, logical argument, and methodical exposition are all philosophical techniques. These strategies make research work easier. Philosophy aids in the examination of concepts, definitions, arguments, and issues. It also aids in the integration of several points of view or viewpoints into a coherent whole.
Philosophical thinking places a high emphasis on the clear statement of concepts and issues, the selection of relevant facts, and the use of objective procedures for evaluating ideas and recommendations. It also stresses the formation of an understanding of the new directions provided by fresh hypotheses and questions encountered while conducting research. Aristotle, as the father of logic, was the first to devise a structured framework for thinking. He recognized that the form of any argument, rather than its content, might determine its legitimacy. According to Aristotle, the ultimate form of human functioning must contain thinking.
To summarise, the Doctor in Doctor of Philosophy refers to someone who is licenced to or capable of teaching. And philosophy, as a love of knowledge and wisdom, gives ways and procedures for conducting good study to increase one’s knowledge base.