The Institute saw itself as the sole custodian of advanced German theory

Evidence

We are the only group whose existence does not depend on gradual assimilation, the only group which can maintain the relatively advanced state of theory which has been achieved in Germany and advance it even further. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 178

Categorization

• DEFINE: Captures the Institute’s self-definition: a non-assimilating, theoretically advanced collective, distinct from other exile groups.
• XREF: Echoes later Frankfurt School debates about theory versus assimilation and the Americanization of critical thinking. — connects to: Horkheimer framed the exiled Institute as the sole guardians of advanced German theory — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 637

Broader Connections

• Horkheimer framed the exiled Institute as the sole guardians of advanced German theory #corroborates (1.00) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 637