Matt is making an "A implies B" argument: PhD's by definition must contribute original knowledge. He didn't address the converse (that non-PhD's don't or can't).

A PhD is definitely not the only time that a person can delve into original research or knowledge, you're right.

But I don't see any place where Dr. Might suggests that it's the _only_ experience that can lead to original research.

I think a PhD is definitely one of the only experiences where upon completion you are required to have contributed to the world of original and new knowledge in some way, though.

I'm pretty far from an academic, but I do believe you are overreacting a bit. It would be absurd to even imply that a PhD was the only route to original knowledge (insert patent clerk anecdote here).

However, original knowledge is one of the core tenets of an academic doctorate after all, and it's certainly one legitimate avenue towards original research and knowledge.

I don't know where the "Einstein had little formal education in physics" meme originated, but I'd like to kill it. Einstein was awarded a PhD before the publication of any of his seminal 1905 papers.

You used the wrong syllogism.