Challenging the Fallacy of the Altruistic Argument in Human Reproduction

Abstract This paper examines human reproduction as a complex phenomenon shaped by biological, social, economic, and political forces. It identifies the fallacy of the altruistic argument, which frames women’s self-sacrifice in reproductive and caregiving roles as a natural virtue, reinforcing gender inequalities and limiting autonomy. Through an interdisciplinary approach integrating feminist philosophy, evolutionary theory, and social justice perspectives, it exposes androcentric biases in evolutionary epistemology that have legitimized the exploitation of women’s reproductive labor by portraying altruism as a biologically determined, sex-specific trait. Drawing on Adriana Cavarero’s relational ethics, the paper advocates for reimagining reproduction as a collective act rooted in mutual care, ethical responsibility, and interdependence. This perspective challenges Western individualism and calls for positioning reproduction as a central ethical and philosophical category. By rejecting narratives of self-sacrifice, it promotes an ethos of mutuality, fostering a more equitable and inclusive approach to reproductive practices and policies.