The Myth of the Ethics of Purusārtha or Humanity’s life-Goals

Any discussion of traditional Indian thought about human beings and society usually revolves around the notions designated by such terms as varna, āśrama and purusārtha. It is also generally assumed that the three categories are so intimately related to each other that each cannot be understood without the other. But even amongst these, the notion of purusārtha is perhaps more fundamental as it defines those ultimate goals of human life which give meaning and significance to it. The usual four-fold classification of the purusārthas, it is claimed, encompasses within it all the actual or possible goals that humankind may pursue for itself. Yet, is this true, and do the terms designate in any clear manner the complete set of goals – or what kant called ‘kingdom of ends’ – human beings pursue or ought to pursue?