Avoiding knowledge is an active strategy for self-protection against moral culpability

Evidence

Moral justifications serve dual functions. They engage morality in the worthy mission but disengage morality in its deadly execution. Hence, moral justifications are the most powerful set of psychological mechanisms for promoting detrimental activities. Belief in the morality of a cause not only eliminates self-censure but also engages self-approval in the service of destructive exploits. What was once morally reprehensible becomes a source of positive self-valuation. Functionaries work hard to become proficient in harmful activities and take pride in their destructive accomplishments. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 400 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Ignorance of harm makes self-deception morally possible — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 710; Willful ignorance is achieved by avoiding actions that would reveal unwanted knowledge; Moral self-regulation is not a fixed conscience but can be selectively disengaged — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3940 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Knowledge-versus-ignorance categories protect present-day readers from self-implication #complicates (0.76)
• Believing a cause is moral converts self-censure into self-approval #complicates (0.71) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 400