Rational Assumptions about the Possible Existence of Absolute Luminous Heat and Igneous Matter
Luminous heat and fire are for us, until now, phenomena of a certain order and are simply experienced as such. Until now, they have only had a subjective existence for us because the objective reality of their existence is still hidden from us.
However, despite this occultation of objective reality, the phenomenon of light, heat and fire continues to be experienced by us. Sensation brings us face to face with a cause which acts on the sensory organs, and the objective active cause must be both substance and matter.
The essence of light, heat and fire can be admitted as an object filling a space. But, filling a space is a property of the essence of matter. Hence, light, heat and fire (as filling space) must also belong to it.
The objective cause of all sensations is and always remains matter; light, heat and fire are felt and apprehended by all the organs; the subjectivity of sensation necessarily presupposes the objectivity of matter.
A substance without matter is not conceivable. It is inconceivable to grasp a substance without also grasping, at the same time, the matter. Light, heat and fire are phenomena: they are felt. Phenomenon and sensation suppose a reality which can only be matter, because this is the objectivity necessary for all phenomena and all sensations.
All these anticipations of reason already let us suppose that there must be an absolute substance of light, heat and fire. Only, when a substance is really present, it must be shown and it must be certified by experience.
By very simple manipulations, I separated these three substances from the phosphorus.1
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