Self deception/denial is a thing and I do think it's playing a role in what he believes. I personally have always kind of thought that we were playing as essentially the villain of the story. Or if not the big bad, then as their pawn for their grander schemes. Mainly because I tend to remember the following line from a different game from several years ago which I think tends to have quite the ring of truth to it for many villains in fiction. Maybe in real life too.
. The best villains don't see themselves as evil. They're fighting for a good cause, willing to get their hands dirty.
True, though I want to emphasize the point made earlier: IN THE GAME, his methods work. Other methods are strongly implied to have failed. If it looks crazy, but it works, it's not crazy.
Yes, he enjoys the side benefits of his work. That doesn't make him a villain.
In recent updates he does push things more and take advantage of situations more... but we've also seen more evidence that his methods are, overall, helping.
This is, IMO, one of the better parts of the game.