Theory, Practice, Contemplation

The main theme of the Theses on Feuerbach is Theory vs. Practice, with Interpretation and Change the species of each, respectively, in #11. Now, as has been previously discussed, Marx's classification of Interpretation as Theory is questionable, since, like Translation, it involves a modification of some given material, and, hence, is a Practical process. Instead, the theme of #5, Contemplation, involves no such modification, and, furthermore, its esteemed status in the preceding Philosophical tradition is well-established, thereby affording him a better example of what he is trying to contrast with Change in #11. However, the primary reason for that esteem is that it is usually conceived as an elevated state consisting in subject-object unity. Accordingly, to justify a devaluation of Contemplation, and, hence, of Theory, he needs to do more than insinuate that it is only a reinforcement of the status quo. More effective, for example, would be to argue that Cognition, including Contemplation, is, organically, nascent Action, from which it follows that Theory in isolation from Practice is only an arrested stage of development of the latter.