I feel very much in the dark still about the relations of the progressive to the regressive movement, and this great precipitate of nature subject to static categories.
"The Letters of William James, Vol. II"
William James
The answer is simply that our argument from adaptability does not require the assumption in question, but only that we should be able to distinguish higher from lower tendencies, progressive from regressive movements, without holding the optimistic view that on the whole the forward tendency is at present prevailing.
"The Faith of the Millions (2nd series)"
George Tyrrell
This regressive metamorphosis-for I cannot style it otherwise-is rare but not without examples.
"Essay on the Creative Imagination"
Th. Ribot