POLYGENISM Meaning and
Definition
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Polygenism is a theoretical concept in anthropology and the study of human origins positing that different human races or ethnicities have distinct origins or lineages. It suggests that humans derive from multiple independent sources or genealogical lineages, rather than from a common ancestor.
The idea of polygenism, also known as polygenesis or polyphyletism, implies that racial differences are not solely a result of environmental factors or adaptations to different regions, but rather, stem from separate origins. This theory is in contrast to monogenism, which proposes that all humans share a single origin and are part of the same lineage.
Proponents of polygenism argue that it explains the wide variety of physical traits and characteristics observed among human populations. For instance, they contend that racial variations such as skin color, facial features, and body types are inherent and the result of distinct ancestral lineages.
However, polygenism has been largely discredited in scientific communities, as it lacks substantial evidence and contradicts the overwhelming consensus of modern evolutionary biology. The overwhelming amount of genetic evidence points to the fact that all humans share a common ancestry, and that racial differences are primarily the result of local adaptations to different environments and climates over time.
In contemporary academic discourse, polygenism is widely considered an outdated and discredited theory due to its lack of empirical support and its historical association with racial discrimination and racism.
Common Misspellings for POLYGENISM
- oolygenism
- lolygenism
- -olygenism
- 0olygenism
- pilygenism
- pklygenism
- pllygenism
- pplygenism
- p0lygenism
- p9lygenism
- pokygenism
- popygenism
- pooygenism
- poltgenism
- polggenism
- polhgenism
- polugenism
- pol7genism
- pol6genism
- polyfenism
Etymology of POLYGENISM
The word "Polygenism" is derived from two Greek roots: "poly" meaning "many" or "multiple", and "genesis" meaning "origin" or "birth". Thus, "Polygenism" refers to the belief or theory that different human races have multiple origins or separate lineages rather than a common ancestor.
Similar spelling words for POLYGENISM
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