Pseudointellectual is a pejorative term used to describe someone who engages in false intellectualism or is intellectually dishonest. Such may suggest that the practicioner assumes that intellectuals themselves form a privileged élite worthy of any attachment irrespective of its falsehood. The term is often, though not always, used to describe one who regularly critiques the work of professionals, while lacking the requisite background knowledge and experience to have an informed opinion (e.g., an armchair quarterback).

A pseudointellectual may affect traits that he associates with persons of intellectual privilege by displaying objects (typically books, but classical music and art often suffice) that he does not appreciate, enjoy, or understand. But while dropping names of 'respected' figures of cultural achievement, the pseudointellectual frequently deprecates anything that has popularity and accessibility with such words as 'trash', rarely knowing the esthetic criteria for such judgment. Although criticism or mass-marketed figurines of cherubic children with over-sized heads that violate the usual rules of artistic proportions is not pseudointellectualism, blanket calumnies against all jazz or folk music in favor of mediocre classical music exemplify the intellectual snob.

Someone who comments on, or is knowledgeable of, disciplines outside his or her own field of study is not a pseudointellectual, as long as he or she is intellectually honest and does not misrepresent his or her own background and understanding of the subject. For example, polymaths are not considered pseudointellectuals.

A pseudointellectual is not necessarily someone who abuses his or her vocabulary to appear intelligent or highly educated. Real intellectuals may be accused of using complex language for the same reason. For example, writer and doctor Michael Crichton is quoted as saying that the medical lexicon is a "highly skilled, calculated attempt to confuse the reader." However, much medical and scientific jargon exists to convey a level of precision beyond that provided by ordinary language.

Furthermore, a pseudointellectual is not necessarily someone lacking an education. A University professor may be accused of being a pseudointellectual if he or she does not adhere to the rules of his or her study. For example, controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill had been accused of being a pseudointellectual because it is alleged that he had made intellectually dishonest arguments and plagiarized others' work.

Moreover, there may be no real test for whether or not someone is a pseudointellectual since there is no universally accepted criteria for being an intellectual.

See also

• Know-it-all
• Pseudoscience

External links

• The Pseudo-intellectual Web Journal
• Urban Dictionary: pseudointellectual