Phil • Cr. Think • Science • Hist •

Explore Natural Philosophy

FAQ

How many times have human species gone extinct?

Sun 5 May 2024
Published 2 years ago.
Updated 7 months ago.
Related FAQs
When were toothpicks invented?
Why is Homo habilis a pivotal species in human evolution?
How did writing first evolve?
What ancient human species first realized it was going to die?
Evolution: Why did we start walking upright?
When and where was beer invented?
Share :
Email
Print

How many times have human species gone extinct?

The short answer is 15 to 20! That’s up to twenty known chapters of human history that have closed forever. 

When we refer to “human species” going extinct, we’re discussing members of the genus Homo, all the distinct human species that have disappeared since the emergence of Homo habilis about 2.3 million years ago.

Our planet has been a bustling stage of human evolution, where various human species have walked, foraged, and hunted. To date, numerous human species have gone extinct. These include well-known names like Neanderthals and Homo erectus, as well as less famous but equally intriguing ones like Homo habilis, Homo heidelbergensis, and the recently discovered Homo luzonensis.

Each of these species once roamed different parts of our world, adapting to diverse and changing environments but ultimately not surviving to the present day.

— map / TST —

Michael Alan Prestwood
Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable, evolving analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
The Prestwood Column
Menu
August 2026
»COLUMN ARCHIVE
--COLUMN--
Column Research….
1. Timeline Story
Ethical Roadmap
2. Linked Quote
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
3. Science FAQ »
Did morality evolve?
4. Philosophy FAQ »
Is the Me Too movement consistent with TST Ethics?
5. Critical Thinking FAQ »
When should you stop following the crowd?
6. History FAQ!
What did the Nuremberg Trials clarify about moral agents?
Bonus Deep-Dive Article
TST Ethical Roadmap: A Process Model for Ethical Guidance and Moral Choice

Comments

Join the Conversation! Currently logged out.
NEW BOOK! NOW AVAILABLE!!

30 Philosophers: A New Look at Timeless Ideas

by Michael Alan Prestwood
The story of the history of our best ideas!
Scroll to Top