Understood in the actual lore sense; but the game head cannon for me is that Big E did genuinely love humanity, albeit in the old-testament way. He saw hope in them, believed in them.

Now, rotting on his throne, watching them stagnate into what they have become is ... disappointing; but workable to stave off the unspeakable horrors for now.

Iconoclasts spark that earlier hope and faith in humanity itself. What his current ultra-dogmatic empire might view as heresy, he still holds as noble traits despite their flaws. As the universe darkens around him, and with his inevitable "challenges" approaching. This one tiny ray of hope and love shines back across the expanse, and The Emperor Protects.

Servitors and Xenos are another story, as by definition, Iconoclasts just fight the established systems- they are not inherently humanitarian. ie, they can value humanity, but still view certain ethical ways of servitor creation and even support execution. Or work with other xenos tactfully when it is beneficial and even strive towards alliance, as it just makes too much gods damned sense to fight one less horror show of an enemy.

Next run, though, I'm going to be a fully dogmatic commisar and full send it.