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ABSTRACT
Origen, following Philo, approached the study of physics as one element in his programme of spiritual formation. The first part of this article presents the views of Origen, followed by a study on how Philo situated his approach to physics among the various approaches of his time. The second part pays attention to the reception of the views of Philo and Origen in the course of the history of Western Christianity: the Physiologus and its effects show the continuation of Origen’s approach to physics throughout the Middle Ages; a different approach clearly emerged by the 17th century; finally, these last 40 years have been marked by ecological concerns and a reaction against anthropocentrism. A conclusion will briefly ask how this history of receptions affects our present readings of Origen and Philo.