[ogogmad]

I said "master", when it's not in opposition to "slave", should not be deemed offensive. Your example helps make my point.

To clarify my view on master/slave terminology, I do understand how an overt analogy to slavery could be offensive. But the word "master" doesn't usually imply that there's a slave.

[zepto]

What does it mean to ‘master’ a subject?

[dcanelhas]

I was specifically referring to the academic Master's degree. What you're talking about is a more philosophical question :)