Re: Why not?
I think you may have missed Toms point Raoul. I took it as referring to people who "claim" to be intellectuals and I agree with Tom.
It reminds me of some (just some) wealthy people who surround themselves with luxury items in an attempt to "acquire" class, of which they don't have a thimble full.
Being an intellectual is something to be admired. But as you said, "qualified as such by others".