Leading theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli turns to the figure of the ancient Greek philosopher Anaximander - the author of the first scientific concept of the world order - to trace the history of scientific thought. The author carefully reconstructs Anaximander's theories based on what we know, paying particular attention to their historical and philosophical context. The book organically intertwines descriptions of the first concepts of the world order and reflections of a prominent scientist of our time on the very nature of scientific thinking.