Authority Quote by Irving Kristol
“An intellectual may be defined as a man who speaks with general authority about a subject on which he has no particular competence.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Intellectuals and Society, 1965
Intellectuals often speak authoritatively without real expertise, exposing pretension.
In simple terms: Talk without knowledge is pretentious.
Key Takeaway
Value expertise over empty authority.
Themes
expertise
pretension
authority
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic conferences
- media commentary
- public debates
Key Concepts
intellectualism
knowledge
credibility
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you questioned an expert’s credentials?
- How can you verify expertise?
A Different Perspective
Authority without competence can mislead.
![“[Conservatism:] Our revolutionary message... is that a self-disciplined people can create a political community in which an ordered liberty will promote both economic prosperity and political participation.” quote by Irving Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/90e/irving-kristol-14064_community_conservatism-our-revolutionary-message-i_148742.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)