Ecology, Ethics, Vital Self-Interest

The distinction, within Spinoza's system, of the persistence in being as determined by adequate ideas, from that determined by inadequate ideas, can be characterized as that of 'vital self-interest'.  Thus, for example, the promotion of health can be distinguished from the pursuit of wealth.  So, since they are both determined by adequate ideas, conduct in one's vital self-interest is equivalent to Freedom in his system.  Furthermore, vital self-interest can provide a basis for an Ecological Ethics, e. g. can help distinguish kicking a dog, catching a fish out of starvation, killing minks, and using rats in the search for a cure to a disease, as well as chopping down a tree in order to build a shelter, from destroying a forest for profit.  It is also conforms to one of the methodological principles of Utilitarianism--people do in fact tend to draw such distinctions when judging these varying examples of the 'rights' of non-human Nature.  But, also, as a criterion of Ecological conduct, acting in one's vital self-interest is rooted in the fundamental locus of the term 'Ethical treatment'--the self-cultivation, in general, of the agent.