IMHO it goes well beyond that. For those who value education and knowledge intellectualism is an aphrodisiac. The idea that you have advanced knowledge and are part of an intellectual elite is very enticing to those who value intellect. It makes one feel unique, different (in a good way), and yes - better than others. Somewhat like being an elite athlete, but an intellectual athlete.
For very silly and indefensible reasons embracing Marxism (and thus being different than the 'uniformed less thans') is a position that has strongly attracted those who want to be thought of as 'intellectuals'. Ironically, Marxism is a philosophy rooted in a complete ignorance of the human spirit and a complete ignorance of economic principles. Nonetheless, go to almost any university campus and you will find ignorant but self-righteous and incredibly fervent followers of Marxism.
Those Marxists want what I’ve been saying. They want the nice lives that are promised by God, but they don’t want the nice life by living a godly life. They still want to live the lives they want to live.
They want goodness without having to be good.