Here, in one volume, man's relation to the physical universe is evaluated by twelve philosophers of science, from Lucretius, Copernicus and Bacon, through Darwin and Freud. The bold pattern of scientific progress is traced from ancient speculation to the modern concept of relativity as developed by Albert Einstein. Among the monumental thinkers who are also included are Descartes, Comte, Bergson, Whitehead, Jeans and Eddington.