A Doctor of Philosophy (aka Ph.D.)

18 years ago, I came to the West a PhD student.  
But that was only the means; my true motivations
were typical of my generation and classic Confucian: 
fame and fortune through book-learning. I was well
treated by the people of this land (for which I am
eternally grateful). Curious, I asked my professor
once why Doctor of Philosophy instead of something
else. After all, we have Masters of Science (MSc)
and Engineering (MEng). I forgot his answer but
the conclusion was positive: in a way I was
looking for philosophy.

I kept reading after schooling and discovered that
the word philosophy meant the love of wisdom in
Greek. But by the time the question about the PhD
designation had stopped bothering me. Through hard
work, I accumulated a good understanding of my
field, which led me to the new gold rush in 
Silicon Valley. Who needs wisdom when you can
chase the mighty moolah while showing off to the
world as smart and successful? 

The question came back with full force after a
revelation following my 40th birthday. I was fat
and sick and a dear friend, RIP, soon died of
cancer. This was the first time I realized that
the limit of money was real. "That's all you've
got to say?!" you would ask. So trite, I know. But
the truth was hidden in plain sight and understood
superficially in the sense that, for me, it didn't
enact. Could this type of layered knowledge and,
more importantly, the will to live out of it has 
anything to do with wisdom?

"Who can doubt, my dear Lucilius, that life is the
gift of the immortal gods, but that living well is
the gift of philosophy?"  wrote Seneca in a letter
(Translated by Robin Campbell) to his friend
almost 2000 years ago. It has been so long but the
pursuit of wisdom has finally become a necessity
and concious daily effort. Thank you very much. I
hope I graduate this life worthy of her.

[7grizzly]

Thank you, my friend, and Happy New Year!
I was lucky to ask that question.

[暖冬cool夏]

Very well written, and well thought. Never actually asked or thought about the question why PhD is a doctor of Philosophy (or did I ever know?). Happy Chinese New Year!