Murder
Related: crime - death - lust murder - predator - serial murder - terrorism - violence - war
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets." --Voltaire
Death of Marat (1793) - Jacques-Louis David
Definition
Murder is the crime of intentionally causing the death of another human being, without lawful excuse. When an illegal death was not caused intentionally, but was caused by recklessness or negligence (or there is some defense, such as diminished capacity), the crime committed is manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, which are considered to be less serious than murder. Manslaughter is often broken into two categories: involuntary manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder, Feb 2004Killer instinct
Killer instinct, in human behavior, is a reference to the human propensity to kill, murder. It may also refer to killing an opponent in a less literal sense (ie-I'm gonna kill him/her).
This instinct can either be a natural inclination, or a programmed response. In the case of inclination, one feels the inner need or desire to harm or kill another for no apparent reason (otherwise perfectly calm and lucid). --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodlust [Oct 2006]
The Mammoth Book of the History of Murder () - Colin Wilson
The Mammoth Book of the History of Murder () - Colin Wilson [Amazon.com] [FR] [DE] [UK]
Proving once again that fact is scarier than fiction, British writer Colin Wilson presents this seam-bursting collection of depravity through the ages. From Ivan the Terrible to Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, this haunting cast of characters will have you leaving the lights on all night. Organized by century and types of killers--assassins, pirates, serial killers, and the like--the book traces the evolution of crime within the context of greater societal changes. The author blames the birth of sex crimes on too much leisure time in the 19th century and credits big cities and their crowded conditions for the emergence of the modern serial killer. He also offers a whirlwind tour of torture and cruelty in answering the question, "What makes a monster?"
Wilson is one of the most prolific and eclectic writers of our time, with more than 80 books to his credit on subjects as varied as existential fiction, philosophy, the occult, aliens, and the life of Aleister Crowley. Though often dismissed by critics as an obsessive crackpot, Wilson maintains a large following around the world due to his captivating, conversational writing style and ability to synthesize an impressive amount of esoteric information. The Mammoth Book of the History of Murder is an illuminating volume on a dark subject, written by a born storyteller.
See also: Colin Wilson - murder
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