Abstract

Corruption, which seems to thrive at all levels, is the single biggest threat to India’s ethical and economic health. There has been a steep rise in corruption in the recent past because pleasure has lopsidedly become ultimate end of human beings. Indian ethics and philosophical traditions prescribe four main ends of human life, namely enjoyment, wealth, Virtue and liberation. The attainment of pleasurable objects is the steadfast end of human life because it is congenial to the body. As a means to enjoyment and livelihood, wealth is the second end of life. Without wealth, we cannot acquire objects nor can we have subsequent enjoyment. But in attainment of wealth and enjoyment we cannot be reckless. It is the duty of every individual to follow the laws which are imposed by society and state. Here comes virtue which is the third end of man as a social being. People have forgotten virtue and liberation in the mad run after wealth and enjoyment. This is the main aggravating factor of widespread corruption. This has to be avoided. We must adhere to our philosophical traditions. Some other factors of corruption and their possible remedies have also been delineated in this paper.