Horkheimer adopted Marxist theory slowly and kept it a private matter

Evidence

The new label for social and theoretical materialism, critical theory' or critical theory of society’, did not indicate his closeness to Marxism as much as the old label, materialist theory'. The essay impressively combined the Young Hegelian desublimation of reason’ (Habermas) with the specifically Marxian sharpening of reason into a thinking which actively intervened in the world. The unmediated, almost existentialist character of the critical standpoint was also expressed starkly at the end of the presentation of traditional theory', when the presentation of the critical theory’ opposed to it began with the words: There is a form of human behaviour which has society itself as its object.' The note on this sentence added, This form of behaviour is described in what follows as “critical”.’ — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 756 (#expands, via linked claim)

In Materials, Horkheimer drew his own conclusions from this perception of the world as a power struggle, and these only partly corresponded to Marxist conclusions. It was a perception of the world suggested by the collective Jewish experience and by a sober assessment of the conditions associated with both his own and his father’s careers. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 440 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The name ‘critical theory’ actually distanced Horkheimer from explicit Marxism. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 756; Horkheimer’s worldview drew on collective Jewish experience, not only Marxism — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 440

Broader Connections

• The name ‘critical theory’ actually distanced Horkheimer from explicit Marxism. #expands (0.75) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 756
• Horkheimer’s worldview drew on collective Jewish experience, not only Marxism #qualifies (0.72) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 440