"As a possibly convenient way of rationalizing what one desires while still being able to feel 'pure,' anything and everything that is otherwise banned becomes permissible. All that supposedly matters is one's intention, or niyya."

Observe that, in spite of their differences, altruism is the untouched, unchallenged common denominator in the ethics of all these philosophies. It is the single richest source of rationalizations. A morality that cannot be practiced is an unlimited cover for any practice. Altruism is the rationalization for the mass slaughter in Soviet Russia--for the legalized looting in the welfare state--for the power-lust of politicians seeking to serve the "common good"--for the concept of a "common good"--for envy, hatred, malice, brutality--for the arson, robbery, hijacking, kidnapping, murder perpetrated by the selfless advocates of sundry collectivist causes--for sacrifice and more sacrifice and an infinity of sacrificial victims. When a theory achieves nothing but the opposite of its alleged goals, yet its advocates remain undeterred, you may be certain that it is not a conviction or an "ideal," but a rationalization.