Some interesting responses in here.
Good topic!
My criteria for murder are probably less strict than most people, but I haven't killed anyone. I have tried, a long time ago when I was young, but it is pretty difficult.
The time I tried was in a fist fight in middleschool. I was much smaller than the boy I was fighting and when I thought the job had been finished, I had only knocked him unconscious. Still, I had never even sucessfully defended myself before, despite being jumped nearly every day.
I'm about average size now, so nobody really makes an honest attempt to fight. Over the past few years, some have tried to instigate me into attacking, but I've always walked away.
To get back on topic...
I would murder in the following,
Attacked with a knife or similar weapon.
Attacked by multiple aggressors.
Threatened with a firearm.
Revenge for family or close friend.
As cyanosuke said, I don't think anyone could know how they would act if the time came to make the choice unless they've been there before. I would like to think that I wouldn't hesitate, but I'm not sure.
(afterthought,)
To clarify, I believe that any action that results in death is 'murder'. I believe that murder is always wrong. I also believe that in some cases, it is excusable.
If I personally were to kill anyone, even accidentally or in a justified situation, I should be prepaired to face appropriate consequences decided by a fair and just court system.
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