Doktorat honoris causa i tradycja uniwersytecka

The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of honoris causa doctorate in academic culture. The history of the honorary doctorate is reconstructed to a certain extent and the difference between the research doctorate and honoris causa is considered. Furthermore, the author focuses on the controversial issues connected with the honoris causa, including cases of buying or rejecting the honor as well as various political contexts of the relevant decision-making process. The analysis of the honorary doctorate focuses on the conviction that it is the topmost acknowledgement of the values and contribution of the society of the person thus honored.