| Intent is not all that hard, actually. If you caused something to happen, knew what you were doing, and had a reasonable opportunity to weigh consequences, there was full intent. If one's reason was clouded, or one acted impulsively, in the heat of passion, then intent is diluted, and, in the extreme cases, ceases to exist. If I strike a person down under the impression that I am in a firefight in Vietnam, I should not be treated as a criminal, but as a patient. If I strike a person down as part of a plan to obtain his wealth, I deserve harsh treatment, for having knowingly violated the fundamental tenets of society for mere gain, with premeditation and deliberateness, thus choosing to become predatory. I do not think that depth analysis of motive is involved, only one's relative lucidity in making a choice....... |
