"I find that people... very few people think that what they're doing is bad, and usually the people who think what they're doing is bad it has more to do with guilt"

In this quote by Jon Favreau, the filmmaker uses an interesting look into human psychology, particularly around the ideas of morality and guilt. He suggests that many people do not see their actions as naturally bad; rather, these actions are often rationalized or viewed through a lens of self-justification. This indicates a natural human propensity to perceive one's behaviors positively, or at least neutrally, showing a cognitive predisposition where actions are framed by personal values, intentions, and self-preservation impulses.

Favreau posits that regret emerges mostly in those uncommon cases where individuals do acknowledge their actions as bad. Guilt, in this context, acts as an emotional response showing a misalignment between one's actions and ethical compass. It ends up being an intricate interplay where regret is not practically acknowledging misdeed but is tied to individual and social awareness. The guilty conscience occurs when one is unable to reconcile actions with their internal standards or when social norms vocalize a collective displeasure.

Furthermore, Favreau's insight touches upon ethical cognitive harshness. When actions conflict with personal beliefs or external principles, it leads to unease. To handle this pain, individuals frequently participate in rationalization, denial, or other psychological defense reaction, preventing the discomfort of identifying their actions as bad.

This perspective lines up with wider philosophical debates about humanity. Are people inherently good and damaged by situations, or is the capacity for excellent and bad actions innately balanced within everyone? Favreau's observation leans towards the previous, suggesting a natural inclination towards self-justification and an unwillingness to accept one's own actions as immoral.

In conclusion, Favreau's quote encapsulates a mental fact about human habits: while most perceive their deeds as sensible, it is the fight with regret that underscores the intricacy of ethical awareness. It motivates reflection on how individual and cultural stories form our understanding of morality and self-identity.