polygenesis

Definition

The historical theory or belief that the human species originated from several different, distinct ancestral groups rather than from a single source.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'poly-' meaning 'many' and 'genesis' meaning 'origin' or 'birth.' It was historically used in anthropological and biological contexts to describe the multiple-origin hypothesis of species or human races.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to contrast with 'monogenesis' when describing how early colonial racial theories questioned whether all human beings belonged to the same 'family of man,' a debate used to justify the treatment of Indigenous people.

Applying A Decolonial Apologetic To Race, Culture, Tolerance

Patheos

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