Final answer:
The deliberate intention to take the life of a human being is defined as murder, which involves malice aforethought. Murder encompasses various forms and can extend to acts of euthanasia and abortion, and on a larger scale, can constitute genocide or crimes against humanity under international law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The deliberate intention to take the life of a human being is termed as murder. This act involves the willful killing of an individual with the intent to cause death or serious harm that is likely to result in death. Murder is distinguished from other forms of homicide by the element of malice aforethought, which refers to the perpetrator’s intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. There are various context-specific forms of intentional killing, such as euthanasia, which can be active euthanasia (deliberate action to cause death) and may be voluntary or nonvoluntary, and abortion, which is the deliberate ending of a pregnancy and is a subject of great ethical debate.
At an international law level, intentional killing on a large scale can result in charges of genocide or crimes against humanity, especially when targeted at a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Philosophical and ethical considerations also play a substantial role when intent is involved in killing, as it raises questions about morality and justice in scenarios involving self-defense or war.