Antonio Gramsci brings up two interesting concepts in “The Formation of the Intellectuals,” they are the organic and traditional intellectuals, which are formed from social groups. He begins by explaining the organic intellectual by pretty much saying that an organic intellectual would be someone with both the knowledge of industry technology and someone involved in labor. In addition, organic intellectuals are spotted easily when new social classes rise to power since organic intellectuals could be considered revolutionaries. Gramsci’s concept of the “organic intellectual” shows his support for the working class, it shows that he believed in the capabilities the working class had to offer. The traditional intellectuals can be seen as the people in power, or the people who support the system in power. Traditional intellectuals are significant in the way hegemony operates because for an emerging class to entirely overthrow the ruling class, it becomes necessary for the traditional intellectuals to come under the influence of the emerging class ideology (1006). In other words, it becomes necessary for the traditional intellectuals to change their usual linear way of thinking and doing things.
Furthermore, Gramsci critiques the usual definition of intellectual which is associated with the traditional intellectual (teachers, doctors, etc) because he claims, “in any physical work there exists a minimum of technical qualification, that is, a minimum of creative intellectual.” In other words, an intellectual can not only be defined by how “book smart” he or she is or it can’t be exclusive to only “book smart” people. The definition of intellectual has to fit those who are intelligent through other forms such as music, art, etc. This old definition shows that the classification of a person within society is more linked to their social function (profession) than their unique humanity. Gramsci states, “All men are intellectuals, one could therefore say: but not all men have in society the function of intellectuals” (1004). In other words, society does not let many people fulfill their paths of intellectualism. For example, money stops a lot of people from continuing their education, preventing the existence of future doctors or lawyers. Plus, many people don’t fulfill their roles as intellectuals in a society because they never discover it. Think of them as undiscovered artists. I think the fact that Gramsci is challenging the definition of intellectual, opens the door for the working class to gain power and respect. He is speaking for the working class that was not given the opportunity to be part of the traditional intellectuals, but that nonetheless are intellectuals.