A few more things...
If a person commits an evil deed, but doesn't think it's evil, does that make him evil? As opposed to a persom committing the same deed, knowing full well that it's evil? What about a mix of both? What if the person doesn't view himself as evil?
An example. In the novels Elfshadow and Evermeet: Island of Elves, a gold-elven traditionalist is cast in the villain's role. He is a noble who clings to the old ways of the a fallen elven kingdom, which was ruled by a council of elders. He also thinks that his race, the gold elves, is superior to all other elves. Therefore, the fact that a moon-elven royalty rules over the elven island is an insult. He has been working toward removing the royalty and restoring the council of elders.
To this end, he employs many means -- assassinating offspring of the royal family, murdering "good" men and women, and stirring treachery from within. But for all that, he still sees his course as noble and righteous, because his race is superior, the only remnants of ancient elven traditions and values. It wasn't until he was visited by evil gods that he has realized how far he'd fallen.
Is he evil?
If certain roles were changed, and certain viewpoints changed, this gold elf would have been the oppressed hero under what he views as evil rulers -- the moon elven royalty. The "good" people he eliminated would have been minions of the evil overlord. If only the book was written from his point of view.
In the same book, the "good" organization, called the Harpers, is also willing to sacrifice a select few for the greater good. The protagonist of Elfshadow, Arilyn Moonblade, was all but sent to die. Her own father, when asked, says that, yes, even at the cost of her life, he would protect a certain elven secret that is tied to the Harpers.
Does the end justify the means? Where do you draw a line between good and evil? Shouldn't the "good guys" care about everyone, willing to sacrifice no one, because life is sacred?
IMO, black evil and white good exist only in the simplest of tales, fables for children -- or bad writing period. It's always rather grey if you contemplate the whole deal.
