<P> Moral certainty can be used to justify the harm done by failing policies and actions . Those with good intentions believe their practices are good for the group; it is self - evident to them . They justify collateral damage in the belief they do a greater good . The Nazi concentration camps were created to hold so - called "racially undesirable elements" of German society . The GULAG system was introduced in order to isolate disloyal elements not contributing to the dictatorship of the proletariat . The Inquisition was established to eradicate heretics in religious states . The harm done is clearly seen, and acknowledged, but is written off as a' price worth paying' . </P> <P> On a personal level, taking a subjectively "good action" can land one in a horrific emotional and / or physical state of being, e.g., a soldier goes off to war to fight for the subjective good of their country and ends up with post-traumatic stress disorder . </P> <P> Psychological studies of the effect of intention upon task completion by professors Peter Gollwitzer, Paschal Sheeran and Sheina Orbell indicate that there is some truth in the proverb . Perfectionists are especially prone to having their intentions backfire in this way . Some have argued that people are more likely to interpret their own actions as more well intended than the actions of others . </P> <P> Attempts to improve the ethical behaviour of groups are often counter-productive . If legislation is used for such an attempt, people observe the letter of the law rather than improve the desired behaviour . During negotiation, groups that are encouraged to understand the point of view of the other parties are worse at this than those whose perspective is not enlightened . The threat of punishment may make behavior less rather than more ethical . Studies of business ethics indicate that most wrongdoing is not due directly to wickedness but is performed by people who did not plan to err . </P>

The road to blank is paved with good intentions