> (2) as is trying to focus on intent. Do you want to risk absolving Hitler or Pol Pot because they thought they were making the world a better place?

I would argue that "trying to make the world better" is too broad to be an intent.

It's an ideal, or something. Maybe that's just language semantics.

As soon as you dig into that ideal at all, the malicious intent becomes extremely clear.

Ideal: "I am going to make the world a better place"

How?

Intent: "By purging lesser humans so my people can become the master race as we should"

Versus

Intent: "By volunteering my time to set up soup kitchens in the inner city"

Ideal leads to intent leads to action leads to outcome.

My opinion, anyways.