intellectual treason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectual treason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or thoughts that betray one's intellectual beliefs or principles, often in a political or philosophical context. Example: "Some critics argue that the author's latest work is an act of intellectual treason against the very ideals he once championed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cynicism is intellectual treason.

Forbes

"Cynicism," said Norman Cousins, "is intellectual treason".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What she doesn't add -- and this is typical of her own intellectual methodology in "Treason" -- is that the list was compiled not on the basis of smarts but on the number of times names turned up in the media during the Clinton-hating heyday of 1995 to 2000.

The New York Times

"I do not understand how on earth you can become a writer without seeing the world," he says, before launching a tirade against intellectuals who "commit treason" by critiquing the world from an ivory tower.

Independent

In response to the petition, Erdoğan fired off an angry tirade against "those so-called intellectuals" accusing them of treason and being the "fifth columns" of foreign powers, sympathising with terrorists and bent on undermining Turkey's national security.

The Guardian

The masterwork, however, is still ­Julien Benda's "Treason of the Intellectuals".

The New York Times - Books

Others claimed that "everyone knew"; these looked like the people Julien Benda warned about in "The Treason of the Intellectuals".

The New Yorker

Julius ends his exercise in flattery by comparing Berman to Julien Benda ("The Treason of the Intellectuals"), once a symbol of liberalism's rectitude in the face of overweening power.

The New York Times

In his most important work, La Trahison des clercs (1927; The Treason of the Intellectuals; also published as The Great Betrayal), Benda denounced as moral traitors those who betray truth and justice for racial and political considerations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The treason of the intellectuals begins, in most cases, not with the fanciful image of them as secret authors or puppeteers but in their abject surrender to power and its lures.

The New Yorker

If Mr Bush's war is a drawn-out affair, it will impose great demands on the patience of a not very patient people.In this section Testing intelligence The hounds have their noses down Don't even think about it... Hitting where it hurts Time to deal on trade The Vietnamese invade Treason of the intellectuals?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intellectual treason" to describe a deliberate act of betraying one's own or others' deeply held intellectual beliefs, often for personal or political gain. Ensure the context clearly indicates a violation of trust or principles.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectual treason" to describe minor disagreements or simple errors in judgment. This phrase carries a strong connotation of betrayal and should be reserved for situations where there is a clear violation of intellectual integrity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual treason" functions as a noun phrase. It serves to label a specific type of betrayal, where intellectual principles are violated. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used in political or philosophical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intellectual treason" is a noun phrase denoting the betrayal of intellectual principles. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct but rare, mainly appearing in news and media contexts to express disapproval of actions contradicting intellectual norms. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations involving a clear and significant violation of intellectual integrity, using related phrases like "intellectual betrayal" for milder connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual betrayal

Replaces "treason" with a more common synonym, softening the intensity of the accusation.

betrayal of intellect

Shifts the focus to the act of betraying one's intellect, rather than a specific act of treason.

subversion of intellectual values

Emphasizes the undermining of core intellectual principles.

abandonment of intellectual integrity

Highlights the loss of honesty and ethical standards in intellectual pursuits.

disloyalty to intellectual principles

Focuses on the lack of allegiance to established intellectual ideals.

violation of intellectual trust

Highlights a breach of confidence and expectations within an intellectual community.

intellectual dishonesty

Points to a lack of truthfulness and integrity in intellectual endeavors.

distortion of intellectual discourse

Refers to the twisting or misrepresentation of intellectual conversations or debates.

corruption of intellectual thought

Suggests a perversion or degradation of intellectual thinking.

undermining intellectual foundations

Implies an attempt to weaken the basic principles upon which intellectual pursuits are built.

FAQs

What does "intellectual treason" mean?

The term "intellectual treason" describes the betrayal of one's intellectual principles or beliefs, often involving dishonesty or a violation of trust.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "intellectual treason"?

Use "intellectual treason" when referring to a significant betrayal of intellectual honesty or principles, particularly when someone knowingly acts against their own or others' deeply held beliefs.

What can I say instead of "intellectual treason"?

You can use alternatives like "intellectual betrayal", "betrayal of intellect", or "abandonment of intellectual integrity" depending on the context.

Is "intellectual treason" an overused phrase?

"Intellectual treason" is not commonly used. It should be reserved for situations involving a severe breach of intellectual trust or honesty.