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Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science

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Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science
Early edition
AuthorL. Ron Hubbard
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHubbard Association of Scientologists International Ltd (1955), Bridge Publications (2007)
Publication date
May 1955
Media typePrint book
ISBN9781403144188

Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science is a book written by L. Ron Hubbard. Originally published in May 1950 as an article in Astounding Science Fiction, and immediately preceding the publication of his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, it was expanded and republished as a 48-page book in 1955 by Hubbard Association of Scientologists International Ltd.[1][2] In 2007, it was republished by Bridge Publications as a 213-page book — part of the re-release of the "basic books" of Scientology.[3] The book is considered part of Scientology's canon.[4]: 21 

The origins of Scientology trace back to the late 1940s, when L. Ron Hubbard, a struggling pulp fiction writer, was also exploring a self-improvement method that he later named Dianetics. His article, Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science, published in Astounding Science Fiction, received a strong response, prompting him to expand his ideas into the 1950 book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. This marked the foundation of what would evolve into Scientology. In Dianetics, Hubbard introduced techniques designed to eliminate the lingering effects of past traumas—referred to as engrams—believed to be responsible for irrational behavior and psychosomatic conditions. The book became a bestseller, sparking a widespread interest in Dianetics, with numerous groups forming to practice its principles. Even intellectuals like Aldous Huxley became involved during this period of popularity. Riding this momentum, Hubbard delivered lectures and published additional works. By 1951, he introduced Scientology, distinguishing it from Dianetics by emphasizing not only the workings of the mind but also the spiritual dimension of human existence.[5]

In Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science, Hubbard describes how he defined the reactive mind and developed the procedures to get rid of it. The book includes Hubbard's account of the reasoning behind his development of Dianetics.[3]: dust jacket 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed. Lyle Stuart Books. p. 107. ISBN 081840499X. OL 9429654M.
  2. ^ Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science (1955) OCLC 362924343
  3. ^ a b Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science (2007) ISBN 9781403144188
  4. ^ Rothstein, Mikael (2007). "Scientology, scripture, and sacred tradition". In Lewis, James R.; Hammer, Olav (eds.). The Invention of Sacred Tradition. Cambridge University Press. pp. 18–37. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511488450.002. ISBN 9780521864794.
  5. ^ Lewis, J. R. (2016). Scientology: Religious Studies Approaches. Numen, 63(1), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685276-12341405
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