Greed and Self-Interest

Greed is typically treated and judged as a social phenomenon--usually condemned on the grounds of malign effects on others, or occasionally defended as a manifestation of some 'natural' order. However, as Aristotle and Spinoza, notably, show, Greed is also a Psychological condition that can be analyzed and evaluated as such. So, for example, because it is a drive determined by its object, it involves a loss of self-control. Furthermore, because the drive seeks a localized satisfaction, e. g. at the reproductive organs, it is disequilibrating. So, as imbalanced and out of control, Greed can hardly be conceived as in one's own self-interest, which is a problem for Capitalists who identify Self-Interest and Profit, but neglect to distinguish Profit-seeking from Greed.