--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The PhD system is the real root of the…" description: "\"The PhD system is the real root of the evil of academic snobbery. People who have PhDs consider themselves a priesthood, and inventors generally don't ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/freeman-dyson-1435_academic_the-phd-system-is-the-real-root-of-the-e_1738395.jpg" --- # The PhD system is the real root of the evil of academic… ![“The PhD system is the real root of the evil of academic snobbery. People who have PhDs consider themselves a priesthood, and inventors generally don't have PhDs.” quote by Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/freeman-dyson-1435_academic_the-phd-system-is-the-real-root-of-the-e_1738395.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/freeman-dyson-1435_academic_the-phd-system-is-the-real-root-of-the-e_1738395.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/freeman-dyson-1435_academic_the-phd-system-is-the-real-root-of-the-e_1738395.jpg) > “The PhD system is the real root of the evil of academic snobbery. People who have PhDs consider themselves a priesthood, and inventors generally don't have PhDs.” [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The PhD system creates an elite class that can foster arrogance and exclusion, separating scholars from practical innovators. **In simple terms:** PhDs can become a privileged class, isolating them from non‑academic creators. Key Takeaway Recognize and value diverse expertise beyond formal titles. Themes elitism education innovation social hierarchy Mood critical reflective Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - academic hiring - research funding - collaborative projects - public outreach Key Concepts credentialism social stratification knowledge power Questions to Reflect On - How can academia reward practical innovation? - What structures reduce elitist attitudes? A Different Perspective The system also provides rigorous training and advances knowledge; not all PhDs act elitist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Academic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/academic/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Inventor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventor/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Priesthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priesthood/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Snobbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snobbery/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) ## Related quotes > [This is a global fight to get the right people in the right place and we're talking about people with PhDs in engineering, computer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-moran/this-is-a-global-fight-to-get-the-right-people-in-the-right-place-and/) [Jerry Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-moran/) > [In Sweden for example people with PhDs have lower mortality than those with a masters degree. 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