自じ己こ目もく的てき化か

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

becoming an end in itself; goal displacement

Refers to a process or activity that was originally a means to an end but becomes pursued for its own sake, often with negative connotations of losing sight of the original purpose. Common in sociological, organizational, and critical contexts.

• 規き則そくを守まもること自じ体たいが自じ己こ目もく的てき化かして、本ほん来らいの業ぎょう務むがおろそかになった。

  Following the rules became an end in itself, and the original work was neglected.