i just read a book that explains "an economic system that trusts the profit motive" as one that takes a means for an end: the rationalistic, value-neutral, goal-oriented system of maximizing profit is taken for its own justification, rather than something moving toward a goal of making life better (however that is going to be defined). of course, the system isn't totally value-neutral because it favors some groups above others and they therefore support it to maximize their own gain, which is what makes it unjust. but it doesn't have an qualitative ideological orientation toward improving society, the expansion of the system is its own goal.