Essays, or discourses, vol. 4 (of 4) : Selected from the works of Feyjoo, and translated from the Spanish

A freshly translated compilation of Feyjoo’s essays brings together a lively mix of early‑modern thought, ranging from the puzzling to the practical. The fourth volume opens with “Physical Paradoxes,” where the author questions long‑held notions about the elements, especially the idea that elemental fire is the hottest of all.

In a vivid early‑science experiment, he describes a burning‑glass that concentrates sunlight to melt wood, metals and even stone far beyond the capabilities of ordinary fire. By comparing this focused solar heat with the traditional qualities assigned to fire, the essay illustrates how careful observation can overturn accepted theories, offering a compelling blend of philosophy and empirical curiosity.

The collection also ventures into skeptical philosophy, moral and political contradictions, and the authority of experience, inviting listeners to follow a mind that delights in questioning the familiar and exploring the limits of knowledge.