This is the third popular science book by the famous physicist, dedicated to the most fundamental issues of science - the causes and laws of existence of living and inanimate matter. Striving for a scientific solution to the riddle of life, the author attempts to synthesize the latest achievements and discoveries in physics, mathematics, biology and sociology. Problems of self-organization of complex systems, deciphering the genetic code, transfer and use of biological information and other exciting problems of the physics of living things are considered from a unified methodological position, which does not exclude careful attention to the scientific, philosophical and mystical thought of various eras and civilizations. The book is addressed to a wide range of serious readers, including including high school students, students and teachers.