As for the issue of acquiring power/money/influence and then using it to do good it is important to be precise here and distinguish several questions:
1) Would it be a good thing to amass power/wealth/etc.. (perhaps deceptively) and then use those to do good?
2) Is it a good thing to PLAN to amass power/wealth/etc.. with the intention of “using it to do X” where X is a good thing.
2′) Is it a good thing to PLAN to amass power/wealth/etc.. with the intention of “using it to do good”.
3) Is it a good idea to support (or not object) to others who profess to be amassing wealth/power/etc.. to do good
Once broken down this way it is clear that while 1 is obviously true 2 and 3 aren’t. Lacking the ability to perfectly bind one’s future self means there is always the risk that you will instead use your influence/power for bad ends. 2′ raises further concerns as to whether what you believe to be good ends really are good ends. This risk is compounded in 3 by the possibility that the people are simply lying about the good ends.
Once we are precise in this way it is clear that it isn’t the in principle approval of amassing power to do good that is at fault but rather the trustworthiness/accuracy of those who undertake such schemes that is the problem.
Having said this some degree of amassing power/influence as a precursor to doing good is probably required. The risks simply must be weighed against the benefits.
As for the issue of acquiring power/money/influence and then using it to do good it is important to be precise here and distinguish several questions:
1) Would it be a good thing to amass power/wealth/etc.. (perhaps deceptively) and then use those to do good?
2) Is it a good thing to PLAN to amass power/wealth/etc.. with the intention of “using it to do X” where X is a good thing.
2′) Is it a good thing to PLAN to amass power/wealth/etc.. with the intention of “using it to do good”.
3) Is it a good idea to support (or not object) to others who profess to be amassing wealth/power/etc.. to do good
Once broken down this way it is clear that while 1 is obviously true 2 and 3 aren’t. Lacking the ability to perfectly bind one’s future self means there is always the risk that you will instead use your influence/power for bad ends. 2′ raises further concerns as to whether what you believe to be good ends really are good ends. This risk is compounded in 3 by the possibility that the people are simply lying about the good ends.
Once we are precise in this way it is clear that it isn’t the in principle approval of amassing power to do good that is at fault but rather the trustworthiness/accuracy of those who undertake such schemes that is the problem.
Having said this some degree of amassing power/influence as a precursor to doing good is probably required. The risks simply must be weighed against the benefits.