Personal American attachments prevented some Institut members from returning to Germany

Evidence

On February 8, 1946, Lowenthal had written to Horkheimer that “I find myself in a funny dialectical position. In 1938, 1 was the strongest advocate of all of us in advising to dissolve our organizational framework. Today I see clearer than ever the possible risks.” But when it came to implementing this sentiment by actually leaving for Germany, Lowenthal was unable to commit himself. His impending marriage to an American, the psychologist Marjorie Fiske, certainly contributed to his reluctance. In 1949 he accepted a position as director of the research division of the Voice of America, thus ending a twenty-three-year tenure with the Institut. — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 853

Categorization

• QUESTION: Lowenthal’s 1938 advocacy for dissolution vs. his 1946 warning about risks — the internal tension of the Institute’s end bears further examination.
• XREF: connects to: Positive American experiences delayed the Institute’s return to Germany — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 849; Former Institut members scattered into American universities and government rather than returning together — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 855; German imperialists worked to keep emigrants tied to the Reich abroad — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 2229 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• German imperialists worked to keep emigrants tied to the Reich abroad #contradicts (0.75) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 2229