Work and Contemplation — The Way and Goal of Self–Realization

Abstract

The article examines work and contemplation as two types of activities emanating from man’s nature which are important in man’s self–realization. The inquiry sets out from metaphysical anthropology which reveals to us that man, as a spiritual– corporeal being, by nature acts transitively and immanently. Thereafter, the article proceeds with an analysis of the essential characteristics of work which, as a transitive activity, is primarily directed toward perfecting the external world through which man, at the same time, perfects himself. Perfection, however, can be fully achieved only through an immanent activity, the effects of which remain within the agent himself. Further analysis shows that contemplation itself is the immanent activity which is the ultimate goal of self–realization.