The authors analyzed the formation of Isaac Newton’s cosmological ideas. Newton did not develop his reflection on cosmology based on the pure mechanism or principle of mechanics as mechanists did in 17t" century，while combined his view about God,the physics laws he discovered，and the alchemical cosmologies of his time to formulate a united explanation to the creation of the world. He made his representation on cosmology in the manner of natural theology that prevailed in 17t" century England. He considered that our world stemmed from the will of God，and the world is a finite one in the infinite space.God,he believed，has never given up his creatures and continually provided power to it,to keep this world alive.

The notion that "man by his efforts can conquer nature" embodies man’s position in nature and the relationship between man and nature. It is not only a subject of study in the areas of Chinese ideology history and science history，but，as a guidance theory and ideology in the formulation of "nature-reforming" policies in China for the past decades，it also has a profound influence on a wide range of issues. Therefore，to look into the notion and its influence can be of fundamental importance and significance in studying the history of Chinese science ideology and modern Chinese scientific policies. This paper gives a careful review of the notion and its background.