Do Intentions Matter?

Let us say, for the sake of argument, that no one in the Bush Administration cares a fig about the Iraqi people or the democratization of Iraq, and that the war was conducted for nefarious reasons. Yet good has come from the war nevertheless.
Does it matter? It’s a tough question if it’s taken seriously, and Norman Geras has a pretty good answer.
UPDATE: Tom Perry (aka Dipnut at Isntapundit) has a thoughtful answer, too. Go read.