Immanuel Kant was never a Doctor of Philosophy, but (only) Magister Artium. Until the beginning of the 19th century, the doctoral degree as the highest degree was reserved only for the three upper faculties (theology, jurisprudence, medicine) and required the Magister degree of the lower faculty. It was not until the Royal Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin, newly founded in 1809, that the degree of Dr. phil. was awarded in the philosophical faculty, which was then exported worldwide and succeeded as a PhD in the USA. Decisive for the introduction of the Dr. phil./PhD was the following expert opinion of the theologian Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (1768-1831):
In order to secure the academic dignities so that they do not sooner or later fall into disrepair, one must first of all not be compelled to add the highest to a moderate or aspiring service. Therefore, it will be good to establish two degrees as much as possible in all faculties. Only in medicine, as long as the title of doctor is a necessary requirement for practice, since no higher one can be granted above it, it must remain as it is. With regard to the others, the following has been proposed:
The faculty of philosophy grants two degrees, that of M.A. and that of Doctor.
The first is the general basis of all academic degrees and none can be acquired without it. It indicates that degree of education in the general sciences which is required by everyone who wants to achieve something in a particular field. It is acquired first of all by an examination in which, in addition to general philosophy, consideration is also given to ancient languages, mathematics, natural science and history, but only in general. The examination is followed by a public disputation, which can, however, be held on theses approved by the faculty. Here on, if the verdict is favorable, the candidate is promoted to M. by consensus of the faculty and the diploma is posted on the bulletin board. If an M.A. wishes to appear as a private lecturer (Privatdocent) in the faculty of philosophy, he must still give the public lectures prescribed in the other Faculties for the licentiates in the field of the science he wishes to read about.
Whoever wishes to become a doctor in the philosophical faculty must submit a Latin dissertation from the field of the science to which he particularly wishes to devote himself. If this is not rejected, the examination follows, which is limited to the same scientific field and to philosophy, insofar as it contains the principles thereof. After the examination, the faculty passes its verdict, and if it is favorable, the dissertation is publicly defended sine praeside, and the candidate is then publicly and solemnly proclaimed.
In both disputes, the ordinary opponents may only be those who already have the degree sought, and of course all professors are considered to be doctors.
Since not all faculty members need to be present at the examinations, the dean has the right to deputize. He himself is always present, but it is not necessary for him to examine every time.
The theological and juridical faculties grant two degrees, that of licentiate and that of doctoris. Only an M.A. can become a licentiate. One becomes a licentiate through an examination by the faculty, a disputation on theses and several public lectures on a given subject, the first or last of which must be held in Latin. At the disputation, the dean presides and the opponents must at least be M. The dignity itself is conferred by a proclamation by consensus of the faculty and posting of the same on the bulletin board.
Only a licentiate may give private lectures on faculty sciences. Drs. or licentiates who have been awarded degrees at other universities are nostrificated for this purpose solely through public lectures.
In order to receive a doctorate, a Latin dissertation must first be submitted. All members of the faculty vote on this in writing to determine whether the candidate is eligible to take the examination. This is followed by the examination and the disputation, at which only Dr. or licentiates may oppose. The doctoral candidate responds himself sine praeside. If he is professor designatus, he is free to choose a responder from among the students. The dean then performs the promotion.
Apart from this usual way, both these faculties as well as the philosophical faculty can also confer the doctorate by a mere diploma, whereby, however, the following is stipulated.
The application for this must be made by 2 members of the faculty or by one and 2 external doctors. It must be accompanied by a scholarly and striking work in the scientific field of the faculty by the doctorandi (PhD student), which, however, does not have to be written in Latin. A written vote will be taken on this as well as on the submitted dissertation. If all faculty members unanimously agree that the dissertation has its own merit and that the author can be expected to acquire several more, the diploma will be awarded with reference to this work. Such a doctorate is considered completely equal to the other one, but is always free of charge and takes place only for absent persons.
As far as the fee is concerned, it is desired that all faculty members participate in it, but in the following manner.
- In the philosophical faculty, all fees received during a decanate are collected, the dean takes a certain portion (the 6th, for example) in advance, and everything else is distributed equally.
- In the case of the theological, juridical, and medicinal, the dean always takes a certain share in advance. The remainder is divided into 5 parts, of which the 4 oldest each receive one, and the rest is divided among the others.
Source: Rudolf Köpke, Die Gründung der Königlichen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 1860, p. 221f.
NAMENSgedächtnis 