Sanctifying harmful means as worthy removes guilt and even elicits pride

Evidence

Reduction of anticipatory guilt over harmful behavior is one such disinhibitory process. Disinhibitory refers to the weakening of restraints over harmful behavior. When harmful means are sanctified as serving worthy purposes, wrongdoers have no reason to be troubled by guilt or to feel the need to make amends. Quite the contrary: They take pride in doing even harm well, and when that harm is ignored or minimized, there is no moral predicament calling for self-sanctions. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 265 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Administered satisfaction corrodes conscience into happy acceptance of society’s misdeeds. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 336; Divine legitimization of group advantage removes accountability for causing harm.; Theological appeals to total human sinfulness can justify preserving white supremacist honors — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long: The Legacy of White…, 182 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Sanctifying harmful means as worthy purposes eliminates anticipatory guilt and need for amends. #corroborates (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 265
• Sanctified harm defuses anticipatory guilt and even converts pride into reward. #corroborates (0.95)
• Moral justification erases guilt yet leaves intrusive remnants that demand suppression #complicates (0.78)