The Last Physician : Walker Percy and the Moral Life of Medicine by John Lantos

The Last Physician : Walker Percy and the Moral Life of Medicine by John Lantos is a collection of essays that explores the connections between medicine and literature, with a focus on the work of Walker Percy. The contributors, including physicians, philosophers, and literary critics, examine the relevance of Percy's work to current dilemmas in medical education and health policy. They reflect on the role of doctors and patients in Percy's novels, his family legacy of depression, and how his medical background influenced his writing style. The book also delves into Percy's philosophy of psychiatry and his tendency to contrast the medical-scientific worldview with a more spiritual one. Overall, this collection offers insights into the intersection of medicine and literature and the ways in which reading and writing can provide solace and understanding in the face of modern challenges.