Is “common sense” better than a Ph.D.?

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PRINCEWILLY@YMAIL.COM 9 years ago

First-year students at the UC Davis Vet school were receiving their first anatomy class, with a real dead cow.

They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet. The professor started the ...
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First-year students at the UC Davis Vet school were receiving their first anatomy class, with a real dead cow.

They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet. The professor started the class by telling them, "In Veterinary Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body." For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the anus of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth.

"Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students. The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the anal opening of the dead cow and sucking on it.

When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid."
ADJOA WANGARA 9 years ago

francis kwarteng, yes! if people like you shoud own a PH.D., then yes! we can say "common sense! is better than a PH.D. because you are deeply stupid!

francis kwarteng, yes! if people like you shoud own a PH.D., then yes! we can say "common sense! is better than a PH.D. because you are deeply stupid!
SAY IT LOUD ! 9 years ago

NOT ALL PHDs ARE RUBBISH.
JAPANESE, AMERICAN, EUROPEAN AND CHINESE PHD ARE HIGH DEGREES OF PRACTICAL UTILITY,
BUT AFRICAN PHD IS NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST FORM OF MNTALLY COLONISING AND BRAINWASHING THE AFRICAN.

PHD IN ...
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NOT ALL PHDs ARE RUBBISH.
JAPANESE, AMERICAN, EUROPEAN AND CHINESE PHD ARE HIGH DEGREES OF PRACTICAL UTILITY,
BUT AFRICAN PHD IS NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST FORM OF MNTALLY COLONISING AND BRAINWASHING THE AFRICAN.

PHD IN AFRICA IS NOTHING BT A DANGEROUS DISEASE WHICH WE AKK HAVE TO AVOID.
Nii Teiko 9 years ago

Common sense eluded Prof Kwarteng as he tried to trace a source of reference to Wireko Brobbey. Read: "Ghanaweb. “I Have No Time For Fools—Wereko-Brobby.” July 13, 2016." Tehran bible says the fear of God is the beginni ...
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Common sense eluded Prof Kwarteng as he tried to trace a source of reference to Wireko Brobbey. Read: "Ghanaweb. “I Have No Time For Fools—Wereko-Brobby.” July 13, 2016." Tehran bible says the fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom( Proverbs 9:10). In the abundance of water, Kwarteng Is thirsty.
C.Y. ANDY-K 9 years ago

Kwarteng, you are this time wonderfully 100% right, because the so-claimed Dr. J.K. Bokor is a very good example of, where "common sense" is far better than a PH.D. And not looking very far away too, if you Kwarteng should ge ...
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Kwarteng, you are this time wonderfully 100% right, because the so-claimed Dr. J.K. Bokor is a very good example of, where "common sense" is far better than a PH.D. And not looking very far away too, if you Kwarteng should get a Ph.D. degree, which I can never dream of and can never happen, you would also be a very practical example of "common sense" being miles away better than a Ph.D.

I mean I don't have to elaborate it further why I am saying this, because you and the rest of the well thinking people know the peak of your imbecility, insanity stupidity and foolishness.
Kweku Donsuro 9 years ago

The essence of a PhD is to stress you, break you up and subject you to mental torture and sober you up to become humble. It is a form of mental purification and surveying your field of expertise to be able to contribute somet ...
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The essence of a PhD is to stress you, break you up and subject you to mental torture and sober you up to become humble. It is a form of mental purification and surveying your field of expertise to be able to contribute something original to the corpus of knowledge. It is just an academic exercise which any average student can earn if they are patient, persevering, hardworking and focused. Wisdom constitutes common sense but knowledge is intellect obtained from books. No wonder some people aver that wisdom comes from God and it is the fountain of knowledge. Ghanaian PhD holders of high pedigree or high calibre or mettle are sober and laidback, while the quack ones are brazenly loquacious, garrulous, and arrogant.
Ifthathurts 9 years ago

Kweku, you hit the nail right on the head. You need the higher common sense type to get your PhD.

Kweku, you hit the nail right on the head. You need the higher common sense type to get your PhD.
Francis Kwame Oduro. 9 years ago

ADJOA WANGARA LACKS COMMON SENSE KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

ADJOA WANGARA LACKS COMMON SENSE KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM
Major 9 years ago

This is not bad, Kwarteng. Interesting discussion.

This is your own conclusion:

"A certain level of basic education, formal and informal, and an acute awareness of the self, of the other self—that is, otherism—and o ...
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This is not bad, Kwarteng. Interesting discussion.

This is your own conclusion:

"A certain level of basic education, formal and informal, and an acute awareness of the self, of the other self—that is, otherism—and of one’s and the other self’s environment(s) and how one may adeptly control, manage, and manipulate these variables to underwrite one’s and other’s biological needs for survival, to provide a conducive environment for the nurturing of human relations, and to ensure that humanism defines social, political and economic relations as prerequisites for improving the human condition are, perhaps, all that matters."

You promise a second part to the piece and I wonder if you can still say something beyond that...

I have only two other points:

1. It is our own (Ghanaian) attitude to PhD holders and people in political authority which makes them carry themselves as gods. If we didn't give them that fanfoo respect, they wouldn't seem to think their degrees and positions give them equally great common sense.

The other day, Prof Lungu, said Daily Graphic would not publish his appeal unless he respected protocol by addressing MPs as "Hon". Hon my foot. Why should that be?

2. The other issue is Aryeetey's contention that you need common sense to assess the student which you do not seem to agree with. Perhaps Aryeetey is talking from experience having assessed lots of students in his career and having, himself, been at the receiving end of it when he took his Legon degree in 1978 (Statistic and Economics). He may be limiting himself to the borderline cases where you have to decide on a student's merit (an A or A+ or whether a failure is in order...). This is even more so in an era of essays picked up from the internet or paid for from thesis writing companies...

Let's see if your second part betters this...
The Kwaamoh. 9 years ago

Mr Kwarteng, common sense means that when writing for a general audience, one should be brief, simple and to the point, not verbose or obfuscating. I guess most of our so-called 'big men' need big doses of practical common se ...
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Mr Kwarteng, common sense means that when writing for a general audience, one should be brief, simple and to the point, not verbose or obfuscating. I guess most of our so-called 'big men' need big doses of practical common sense.

Abeeku Mensah 9 years ago

Francis Kwarteng is showing himself to be ignorant which goes to prove Prof Aryeetey's point. Most Christians have heard of King Solomon who was deemed wise in the Christian Bible. I do not recall King Solomon having formal e ...
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Francis Kwarteng is showing himself to be ignorant which goes to prove Prof Aryeetey's point. Most Christians have heard of King Solomon who was deemed wise in the Christian Bible. I do not recall King Solomon having formal education but had common sense that when combined with the fear of the Christian God makes one wise or have a higher level of common sense. Prof Aryeetey is speaking in parables which are mostly above the head of Francis Kwarteng. Irrespective of what ones position in life may be, especially those claiming to belong to Ghana's intellectual elite class, they may want to grow the patience to listen to others, apply what it is one may know to resolve and provide advice and consent. This is a trait that is lacking in most of those who have continued to run Ghana into the ground.

I do not fault the classroom educated but ignorant folks because they sell a lie to the masses by equating classroom education to wisdom hence enabling voters to defer all matters of judgment and national decisions to the ignorant bunch. What is a PhD worth if a holder cannot apply what he or she is presumed to have mastered to make their neck of the wood better for all?

Stealing, misappropriation of money and having authority over national funds is not a reward for classroom acquired credentials; it parallels common criminals who also have dominion over the money they steal and the momentary power they hold over their victims. So listen Francis Kwarteng you may just learn something more valuable from Prof Aryeetey than all your classroom achievements.
Nii Teiko 9 years ago

I think most people are beginning to see that the head is not only use to carry loads, as the preschooler made think. Abeeku is now applying the brains in his 'square box' to reason among men. Kudos for given Kwarteng some ba ...
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I think most people are beginning to see that the head is not only use to carry loads, as the preschooler made think. Abeeku is now applying the brains in his 'square box' to reason among men. Kudos for given Kwarteng some basic tutorials as to how and when to apply 'common sense'. Hope Prof Kwarteng is now humbled by the biblical analogy drawn from the book of 1st Kings, where King Solomon applied common sense to make such a wise dicision. Until this useless essay is sent parking to the achieves, I crown Abeeku as King Solomon II.
Abra Kuma 9 years ago

Classroom education further aids us in using common sense to our best advantage. Both are indespensible. Give thanks if you possess both and be compassionate and helpful to those less fortunate. Bless Ghana, every time!

Fr ...
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Classroom education further aids us in using common sense to our best advantage. Both are indespensible. Give thanks if you possess both and be compassionate and helpful to those less fortunate. Bless Ghana, every time!

Francis Kwarteng, thanks for reminding us about little-big social issues with which we must still grapple and efficiently handle in order to improve our beloved country with its eclectic ethnicities and mores. One love!
Scirocco 9 years ago

Okwampa, you are not alone!

Okwampa, you are not alone!
PRINCEWILLY@YMAIL.COM 9 years ago

STEPS OF MENSAH GETTING A PHD.

BS -BULL SHIT.
MS- MORE SHIT.
PHD-PILOT HIGHER AND DEEPER FOR MORE
BULL SHIT.
MENSAH BECAME OVER QUALIFIED AND MOVED TO LAS VEGAS NEVADA.
HE BECAME A GIGOLO AND A LADIES MAN.
THE LADIES ...
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STEPS OF MENSAH GETTING A PHD.

BS -BULL SHIT.
MS- MORE SHIT.
PHD-PILOT HIGHER AND DEEPER FOR MORE
BULL SHIT.
MENSAH BECAME OVER QUALIFIED AND MOVED TO LAS VEGAS NEVADA.
HE BECAME A GIGOLO AND A LADIES MAN.
THE LADIES CHANGED HIS PHD TO BE PUSSHER OF THE HARD DICK.
IT SHOWS THAT MONEY HAS POWER THAN PHD.
WITH THE RIGHT MONEY,YOU CAN EMPOLY A PHD HOLDER.
Eric, Kumasi 9 years ago

Common sense is general and universal, It is God given and imbued through proper grooming and upbringing. A Ph D can only be attained in specific fields under prescribed terms. Common sense has no equal.

Common sense is general and universal, It is God given and imbued through proper grooming and upbringing. A Ph D can only be attained in specific fields under prescribed terms. Common sense has no equal.
kweku trouble 9 years ago

When you think about the likes of Okoampa and Bawumia, you can't help but agree with Prof. Aryeetey.

When you think about the likes of Okoampa and Bawumia, you can't help but agree with Prof. Aryeetey.
Kwame 9 years ago

IT SEEMS TO ME ADJOA WANGARA HAS A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH FRANCIS KWARTENG. SHE MUST BE HIS BITTER EX OR SOMETHING!
BLESS HER POOR SOUL!!

IT SEEMS TO ME ADJOA WANGARA HAS A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH FRANCIS KWARTENG. SHE MUST BE HIS BITTER EX OR SOMETHING!
BLESS HER POOR SOUL!!
Abra Kuma 9 years ago

At birth, from the moment you begin to use your mental faculties to the time you meet your death, you basically use common sense as a survival mechanism. If you're blessed with scholastic education as well as "street smarts," ...
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At birth, from the moment you begin to use your mental faculties to the time you meet your death, you basically use common sense as a survival mechanism. If you're blessed with scholastic education as well as "street smarts," your achievements could be limitless; we recognize and give thanks for all our blessings once they contribute to the betterment of our society, and all who dwell in it. To each his own contribution to our development - therein should be placed our appreciation for one another. Let us look for the good we do. That too is important. Bless Ghana!
Sly 9 years ago

So, therefore, intelligence is not a cure for stupidity neither is it a substitute for wisdom, baam!.
Wa gyimi a,wa gyimi!

So, therefore, intelligence is not a cure for stupidity neither is it a substitute for wisdom, baam!.
Wa gyimi a,wa gyimi!

MARCUS AMPADU 9 years ago

Recently, last Saturday, at the Howard University in Washington D. C., Nigerians many of us are quick to put down as never do wells, made history. Of the 96 graduating Doctors of Pharmacy candidates, 43 of them were Nigerians ...
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Recently, last Saturday, at the Howard University in Washington D. C., Nigerians many of us are quick to put down as never do wells, made history. Of the 96 graduating Doctors of Pharmacy candidates, 43 of them were Nigerians, and 27 of the awards given, 16 went to Nigerians.

Obviously each of these Nigerians Doctors of Pharmacy had common sense to have stuck it out to earn their terminal degrees.

To receive a professional degrees, whether in law, medicine, pharmacy, architecture, dentistry, etc. one must have beaucoup de bon sens.
unapologetically naija 9 years ago

Who says nigerians are never do wells? Or you mean champions? Which black man can match nigerians in sense music technology fashion business manufacturing academics research culture?

Who says nigerians are never do wells? Or you mean champions? Which black man can match nigerians in sense music technology fashion business manufacturing academics research culture?

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Is “common sense” better than a Ph.D.?

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