Final answer:
Implied malice involves actions showing a reckless disregard for human life, indicating that the perpetrator has abandoned their responsibility to preserve life and holds malignant intent towards others.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Implied malice shows an abandoned and malignant heart.” This refers to a legal concept that comes into play when considering the circumstances of certain crimes, particularly in cases of murder. Implied malice occurs when a person's actions demonstrate a reckless disregard for human life and a conscious disregard of the likelihood that such actions could result in death. An example could be firing a gun into a crowded room without intending to hit a specific person but with an understanding that such an act is likely to cause harm. It is an appreciation for the high risk of death combined with a deliberate decision to disregard that risk. Such scenarios demonstrate the perpetrator's “abandoned and malignant heart”, suggesting they have metaphorically abandoned the responsibility to preserve human life and have a malignant intent toward society at large.