What is the definition of manslaughter?

Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of another person without premeditation, which means that it typically involves a level of recklessness rather than intention. The correct answer focuses on the action of recklessly causing the death of another, indicating that the individual engaged in behavior that was dangerous to others, showing a disregard for human life, but without the intent to kill that is characteristic of murder.

Recklessness is a key element in this definition, as it denotes the individual was aware of the risk their actions posed but chose to act anyway, leading to a tragic outcome. This distinguishes manslaughter from murder, which requires a deliberate intention to cause death.

In contrast, deliberate killing is the hallmark of murder, which is not applicable to manslaughter as it involves intent. Negligent homicide, while similar to manslaughter, generally refers to unintentional killing arising from a failure to exercise reasonable care, thus being a separate legal concept. Passive aggression leading to death does not align with legal definitions of manslaughter, as it lacks a clear, actionable motive or recklessness that results in a person's death.