noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
becoming the objective; setting as a goal; making something an end in itself
Often used in critical contexts where a means or process turns into an end in itself, losing sight of the original purpose. Can be used both transitively (someone makes something the objective) and intransitively (something becomes the objective).
手段が目的化してはいけない。
The means must not become an end in itself.
彼は利益の追求
He is making the pursuit of profit an end in itself.