Pseudo-intellectuals are
people of average intelligence who are enchanted with highly intellectual topics and discussions such as philosophy, socioeconomics, destiny of humanity, etc.
Unlike a genuine academic, a pseudo-intellectual’s main reason for being interested in these topics is because it makes him feel intellectually superior to his peers. He usually despises main stream culture, accuses those who disagree with him as being ignorant, and when his ideas are challenged, he often retaliates with “That’
s a straw
man argument!”
Pseudo-intellectuals can often be found in political discussion boards on the internet, patronizing boutique shops, participating in various Anti-something rallies, sitting on a park’s bench during a weekend afternoon and playing a
guitar, or spending eight consecutive years in
college trying to earn a B.A degree in political
science or philosophy.
Jim: Who is that asshole that sits in the back of the class in American
History and pisses off the professor all the
time?
Amy: Oh, that’s Mark. He’s one of those pseudo-intellectuals.
