PhronesisQuiet quitting — performing only required minimum effort without formally leaving — is here formally reconceptualized as a workplace disengagement wrong attractor W_QQ. The healthy ground state S^0 is defined as meaningful work engagement: investing discretionary effort proportionate to genuine interest, growth, and reciprocal recognition. W_QQ arises when effort-reward imbalance becomes chronic and the person withdraws psychological investment as a protective adaptation; but the withdrawal itself reinforces disconnection, reducing intrinsically motivating experiences and deepening the minimum-viable-performance basin.
Nine formal propositions characterize Kahn's engagement framework, the JD-R model basin depth, the distinction from burnout and healthy boundary-setting, psychological safety (Edmondson), and return paths through job crafting, recognition, and genuine psychological safety restoration.