L. Ron Hubbard: The Study Of Scientology

Dianetics is the brain child of author, humanitarian, philosopher, and founder of Scientology, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, or better known as L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard was born in Tilden, Nebraska on March 13th, 1911. Hubbard briefly attended George Washington University in 1929 to study mathematics and engineering. He later withdrew because he felt Western academia did not hold the answers he was looking for. In later years, Hubbard states [about his time at George Washington University],

It was very obvious that I was dealing with and living in a culture which knew less about the mind than the lowest primitive tribe I had ever come in contact with. Knowing also that people in the East were not able to reach as deeply and predictably into the

Ron Hubbard began studying the mind and spirit. Hubbard’s writings do not start or end with Dianetics. He has a large repertoire in the literary field. It is said that Hubbard has thousands of documented films, articles, recorded lectures, and books. In 1938, an unpublished manuscript by the name of Excalibur was released. In this manuscript, the study of what would become known as Scientology, the study of knowing how to know, first appeared. After Excalibur, Hubbard wanted to explore further into the “science of the mind”. This passion and persistence resulted in Dianetics: The Original Thesis. The word Dianetics comes from the Greek words: dia, meaning through, and nous, meaning mind or soul. Together these words originate the meaning of Dianetics, “what the mind is doing to the body.” According to The Church of Scientology, after The Original Thesis’s release in 1947, Hubbard spent most of his time responding to inquiries about the text. In response to the overwhelming interest, on May 9th, 1950, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published

These building blocks include a new state, the goal of life, and what is known as The Four Dynamics. Through L. Ron Hubbard’s technology, one is to achieve a new state that is known as ‘Clear’. Upon attainment of this state, an individual will be free with his emotions, meaning he can think for himself and experience life unfettered. Also, in this state an individual will experience more self-confidence and pleasure, along with a generally successful life in careers and interpersonal relationships. Those in the state of Clear are said to be living life to its fullest extent (Scientology). Dianetics view of Clear can be closely compared to that of salvation. Another fundamental aspect of Dianetics is the dynamic principle of man’s existence. This principle is that of infinite survival. As Hubbard explains, “I suddenly realized that survival was the pin on which you could hang the rest of this with adequate and ample proof…[and] that life, all life, is trying to survive.” (“Scientology”) Lastly, The Four Dynamics are meant to separate life into the aspects of which one needs to survive. These dynamics or urges of survival are: self, creativity, group survival, and species (Scientology). To understand and obtain the building blocks of Dianetics, one needs to understand what Hubbard refers to as the reactive