Neumann’s mechanistic Marxism aligned him with Grossmann and Wittfogel against Horkheimer’s circle.

Evidence

In short, although it is clear that Neumann possessed an analytically probing mind, which the others recognized, he was generally considered closer in many respects to Grossmann and Wittfogel, despite his distaste for their Stalinism. — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 462

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Wittfogel’s positivism isolated him from Horkheimer’s inner circle — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 122; Neumann’s trade-union and SPD background clashed with Horkheimer’s homogeneous circle ideal. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 920; Horkheimer and Neumann grounded incompatible versions of Marxism. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 1178 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Wittfogel’s positivism isolated him from Horkheimer’s inner circle #expands (0.75) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 122