Dr. James Gilligan

Biography

James Gilligan, M.D., is a psychiatrist and a leading authority on the causes and prevention of violence, and a critic of the American prison system. He is an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law and a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. His work focuses on the psychological underpinnings of violence, shame, and guilt, and he emphasizes the role of patriarchal conceptions of gender in perpetuating violence. Gilligan teaches seminars exploring the intersection of psychological themes and literary works, particularly the plays of Shakespeare, and he involves students in empirical research that connects psychiatric insights with cultural analysis. He has published works discussing the moral and philosophical implications of violence, as well as the role of shame in human relationships. His educational background includes an M.D. from Western Reserve University School of Medicine obtained in 1965.

Research Interests