Drops in a Puddle

To Kill or Not to Kill?

Which is worse: accidentally killing another human being, or fully intending to kill another human being and failing (i.e. by screwing it up, not by having a change of heart)? Why?

I would say accidentally killing another human being is worse, not necessarily in the eyes of the law, but as a result of a life lost. If you accidentally kill another human being as a result of doing something illegal (such as DUI resulting in death), then you're going to face jail time. If the accident was really just purely an accident, then you'll likely suffer from guilt as a result, even though it wasn't really your fault. Either instance results in loss of a life.

Intending to kill but not killing doesn't result in a life lost. Though you will get jail time if your intent is discovered, no life will be lost. Even though there may be more dire consequences in this instance, there is no life lost. Therefore, I don't think it's a bad as accidentally killing someone.