The scholarly elements of elite rationalism (8)

I believe the answer is:

literati

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'the scholarly elements' is the definition.
The definition suggests a plural noun which matches the answer.

'of elite rationalism' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'LITERATI' is hidden within 'elite rationalism'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for literati that I've seen before include "Men and women of letters" , "The well-read intelligentsia" , "intellectuals" , "Learned people, men of letters" , "Educated book readers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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