Dr. Serge Margel

Biography

Serge Margel is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Ethics, History, and Humanities at the University of Geneva. He holds a PhD in philosophy from EHESS (Paris, 1992) and another in history of religions from Geneva (2005). His research focuses on the interrelations of philosophy, religion, medicine, and literature. He has published over 20 books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages, and has directed 10 collective works. His significant publications include a critical edition of 'De praestigiis daemonum' (1563) by Jean Wier, marking a significant shift toward naturalism concerning mental illnesses and the medical gaze on demonic possession. Margel has been a senior researcher at the Institute of Humanities in Medicine (CHUV&UNIL) from 2018 to 2022, examining convulsionary practices from 18th-century French physician Philippe Hecquet. He has taught at the University of Neuchâtel and has been a visiting professor in various countries including France, Lebanon, the USA, Brazil, and Chile. Additionally, he is the founder and co-director of the Asclepios book series with Jerome Millon Publishing, which focuses on the scholarly edition of classical texts on the relationship between medicine and religion.

Research Interests