Introduction: A mystery to ourselves -- Science triumphant, almost -- The ascent of man : a riddle in two parts -- The limits of science 1 : the quixotic universe -- The (evolutionary) 'reason for everything' : certainty -- The (evolutionary) 'reason for everything' : doubt -- The limits of science 2 : the impenetrable helix -- The fall of man : a tragedy in Acts -- The limits of science 3 : the unfathomable brain -- The silence -- Restoring man to his pedestal.