Oh, I understand. It's all part of that calculation we make when we think about doing something. Many years ago I ran across a quote from E. Howard Hunt, an old Texas oil man. It runs something like, "Look at the costs, decide what you want to do, and go ahead." I ran into that quote when I was making that calculation myself about 30 years ago.
To do it simply to do it is, in fact, a noble goal. But at the same time I agree that you have to think about the others in your life and what they need from you. The beauty is that you really don't need it! If you can gather information and assess its worthiness in your chosen fields, then you're already functioning at that level. The Ph.D. recognizes that you went through a formal process -- one that may have done you as much harm as good -- and convinced a committee of people who think they know what they're talking about that you think you know what you're talking about.
You have all the tools you need to learn, investigate and research your interests. Sounds like you're being pretty thoughtful about it. I call that a Good Thing.
O.H.
