Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
polygenesis
Noun
/ˌpɒlɪˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
Definition
The theory that various groups of human beings originated independently from different sources rather than from a common ancestral lineage.
Examples
- Some researchers support the idea of polygenesis in human evolution.
- The debate between monogenesis and polygenesis continues among anthropologists.
- Polygenesis suggests a more complex understanding of human ancestry.
Meaning
Polygenesis argues against the idea of a single origin of the human species, suggesting instead that different races or groups emerged separately in different locations.
Synonyms
- Multiple origins
- Diverse ancestry
- Independent evolution
