monogenesis

Definition

The scientific or theological theory that all human beings share a single common origin or ancestry, as opposed to the theory that different races evolved separately.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'monos' (single) and 'genesis' (origin or creation), the term was formalized in the 19th century to describe the doctrine of common human descent.

In the news

In this article, the term is used in the context of historical debates over whether all of humanity constitutes a single species created by God, a question that was manipulated to justify colonial racial hierarchies.

Applying A Decolonial Apologetic To Race, Culture, Tolerance

Patheos

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