Wholistic Self-Interest and Ecological Ethics

As Spinoza only occasionally emphasizes, the distinction between Adequate and Inadequate in his system is one of degree, not one of kind, i. e. 'Inadequate' is, more precisely, 'Semi-Adequate'.  Likewise, the distinction between the previously introduced  concept of 'Vital Self-Interest' and a non-vital variety is that of what might be called 'Wholistic Self-Interest' vs. partial self-interest.  One familiar example of the contrast is eating in order to survive or to remain healthy vs. eating in order to satisfy one's taste buds.  A less familiar, though prevalent, example, is the pursuit of superficial 'goods', often based on some contrived image, e. g. the 'American dream'.  Similarly, the criterion of Wholistic Self-Interest can be applied to Ecological Ethics, i. e. to distinguish catching a fish in order to stay alive, and cutting down a tree in order to build shelter, from killing a mink in order to supply status-symbol clothing, and cutting down a forest as a means to mere financial profit.