[js1138]

Suppose there are two families trapped in a hurricane ravaged area. There is enough food and water to keep one family alive.

What would Darwin's theory predict the behavior of Family A to be?

If you want a purely Darwinian response to a question like this you would need to ask the question of a species that does not pass morality on via religion and culture, but purely through natural selection.

I have a specific case history in mind. I had a mother cat that developed an abscess in her mouth and was unable to eat for a couple of weeks. We had lots of cats at the time and didn't notice immediately.

Under these circumstances, what would you predict the mother's behavior toward her babies would be. Would you expect her to keep feeding them, even though she was starving?

[b_sharp]

My mother had two toy poodles that started to lactate in order to feed 4 motherless kittens and a runt pig the sow tied to kill.

Sounds like inherent morality to me.

[From many - one.]

You asked:"...I have a specific case history in mind. I had a mother cat that developed an abscess in her mouth and was unable to eat for a couple of weeks. We had lots of cats at the time and didn't notice immediately.

Under these circumstances, what would you predict the mother's behavior toward her babies would be. Would you expect her to keep feeding them, even though she was starving?..."


Yes, she would try to keep feeding them.

But, then, I'm a biologist and know the right answer.

What has this to do with 2 families in a hurricane?