Piet Hut

Piet Hut, Professor in the Program in Interdisciplinary Studies, joined the Institute Faculty in 1985. His research focuses on computational astrophysics, in particular multiscale multiphysics simulations of dense stellar systems; interdisciplinary explorations in the areas of cognitive science and philosophy of science; questions involving the nature of knowledge; and the question of the origins of life on Earth as well as elsewhere in the universe.

Program in Interdisciplinary Studies

Origins of Life

Piet Hut

The Institute Letter Fall 2013

Young children often pose the most interesting questions. “Why are we here?” is one of them. And this question can take on many forms. One of them is “Why is there anything at all?” Another is “Why am I alive?” or “Why am I me?”

These questions are...