Julyssa Rodriguez Professor Bertozzi PHIL 190 - 004 29 April 2022 Goals of Human Life Most people have a set of goals that they wish to accomplish in order to feel like they are living a fulfilling life. We have goals to graduate college, start a family, or even move up in our career. In Indian Philosophy, they view goals differently. The philosophical schools within Indian philosophy believe that there are four basic human goals in life. One thing that is interesting about Indian Philosophy is that their purpose is not to seek truth but they are set on seeking to “make a difference to the quality of life.” Philosophy to them is not only containing wisdom but is representing it too. In Indian Philosophy, they encourage their readers to not only understand truths but to also set an example for peace, knowledge, freedom, and wisdom. (Puligandia 4-6). So, the four basic goals of human life are: dharma, kama, moksa, and artha. Firstly, we have the dharma, and that is the people’s moral duty or as it is described in the reading, it is “the rule of conduct and guides for action.” My understanding of dharma is that it is different based on where we are in life. In life, during our different ages, we have different capabilities hence dharma is undivided. I believe dharma helps us as humans to live in harmony because we are all contributing to ourselves which in turn, contributes to everyone overall (Puligandia 8-9). Next is kama, and this goal correlates with pleasure. Pleasure can be shown in many ways. An example of this is when I find pleasure in my favorite foods or when I find pleasure when I understand what I am being taught in class. But, harmony needs to be present or it can interfere with people fulfilling their dharma (Puligandia 9). Moksa is the release from suffering; it is the feeling of freedom. In many ways, I can see how this one would be the most important because ultimately, it is the goal we desire the most. But, one thing needs to be made certain and that is the fact that suffering is not caused from original sin because it is caused by the “original ignorance of true being and nature.” Our true being is the Atman which is “infinite, eternal, and immortal.” Unfortunately, achieving this goal takes a rather long time, but the only thing that will free us from suffering is the accomplishment of self-actualization while we are alive (Puligandia 10). Lastly, we have artha which refers to things such as career and riches. Although at first glance, this sounds superficial, we must understand that material well-being is necessary for our spiritual life. We must not see it as the goal but as something that allows us to fulfill our dharma. But, even if it is necessary for fulfilling our dharma, we must not cheat in order to fulfill our artha. Robbing a bank in order to fulfill our artha breaks our dharma, so it cannot be achieved falsely (Puligandia 9). Reading about the four goals of Indian Philosophy seemed straight-forward and peaceful to me. There is something so beautiful about the fact that us as humans only wish to be free; it helps me to understand that I am not alone. Our suffering should cease to exist upon completion of these 4 goals.
