The decisive step in Dante's reflections occurs with the assertion that originally, in an unhistorical time before man's revolt against God-symbolized for Dante in the construction of the tower of Babel-there was only a single language for all men. The fragmentation of this original language begins with the erection of the tower of Babel and, what is essential to this, work-the variety of differently structured activities. For Dante work means to convey a meaning to natural things and thereby to transform them with regard to some particular yet unattained goal.