Drawing on cultural sociology, we challenge reductionist perspectives that portray intellectuals as mere epiphenomena of social structures. Instead, we advocate for a multidimensional approach that acknowledges the semi-autonomy and causal power of intellectual discourses. We provide a concise historical overview of how intellectuals have been theorized, tracing perspectives from Comte to contemporary scholars such as Camic, Gross, and Collins. This overview serves as both an introduction to the sociology of intellectuals and an exploration of cultural sociology’s distinctive contributions to the field. At the heart of our framework is the cultural-sociological concept of dramatic intellectuals—figures who navigate collective anxieties and hopes, shaping public discourse through master narratives of salvation and damnation. These intellectuals often position themselves as pivotal actors in an epic struggle between utopian and apocalyptic forces. Through diverse examples, we identify key features of their master stories, including stark binaries between the good-sacred-pure and the evil-profane-polluted, the social construction of meta-adversaries and meta-saviors, the mobilization of cultural traumas and ideological packs, and the Cassandra complex. Following contemporary cultural sociology, our analysis offers a renewed understanding of the intellectual sphere, illuminating how intellectuals influence—and are influenced by—the social world. We argue for a deeper appreciation of the social power of ideas, the complexities of cultural production, and the enduring role of intellectuals in shaping contemporary societies.