#001: Piet Hut

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Our guest on this episode is Professor Emeritus Piet Hut. Piet is renowned in the field of astrophysics, and recently retired as head of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey—which was once home to great scientists like Albert Einstein. But as you’ll find out, Piet’s interests reach far beyond the big bang and computer models of the universe. 

Before he was a professional scientist, Piet recounts tinkering with motorcycles and conducting somewhat dangerous chemical experiments at his childhood farm. But by his late teens, he was also studying yogic texts and making weeklong retreats in Trappist monasteries. 

At the heart of many contemplative traditions, Piet recognized echoes of the scientific method: the process of formulating hypotheses and testing them with replicable experiments. While physicists used this method for making discoveries about matter, contemplatives employed it for making discoveries about the mind. 

In this conversation, Piet shares his lifelong interest in studying the nature of consciousness—drawing from not only current scientific approaches but also global contemplative theory and practice. Recently, Piet began his most explicit exploration of consciousness yet through his creation of what he calls “FEST” (Fully Empirical Science and Technology): a new research program that aims to “bridge the gap between matter and mind.” In this episode, we discuss this intriguing project at length, how accessible the “objective world” really is, and the fine line between “dogma” and “science.” Please enjoy!

Show Notes

• Piet Hut’s original FEST Log, which Nick references throughout the show.
• Piet’s new site, festprogram.org, is a treasure trove of resources and thought on the relationship between mind and matter. It houses articles Piet has produced exploring mind and matter, as well as videos from presentations, interviews, and panels that he has given over the years. 
• You can find Piet’s bio and additional writings on the Institute for Advanced Studies website.

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