CHAPTER 6
THE BASIC THEORY UNDERLYING DIANETIC AND
SCIENTOLOGY THERAPY.
A. Introduction:
6.1. Since Mr. Hubbard himself claims that Scientology developed out of Dianetics, it is
necessary briefly to direct attention to the latter as the underlying basis on which Scientology
is founded. Scientology basically rests upon the hypotheses of Dianetics. If these suppositions
can be demonstrated to be scientifically valid, the treatment based thereon can likewise be
tested and verified. If the contrary is established, namely that the dianetic theory cannot be
scientifically proved, it is merely a supposition which should not form a basis for the treatment
of human illnesses, even though the illnesses are merely at the psycho-somatic level.
6.2. It is the intention to examine these suppositions and to test them against recognised
and accepted scientific standards. Mr. Hubbard commences as follows: "Dianetics (Gr., dianoua -
thought) is the science of mind. Far simpler than physics or chemistry, it compares with them
in the exactness of its axioms and is on a considerably higher echelon of usefulness. The hidden
source of all psycho-somatic ills and human aberration has been discovered and skills have been
developed for their invariable cure."1a
6.3. Mr. Hubbard claims Dianetics to be a science, simpler but much more adaptable than
physics or chemistry. He also claims that the hidden source of all psycho-somatic illnesses,
was discovered by Dianetics and further, that skills, which means techniques, were developed to
cure them without exception. It must be borne in mind that, Scientology claims that approximately
70% of all illnesses is psycho-somatic.*
6.4. Mr. Hubbard also states:
"Dianetics is an exact science and its application is on the order of,
but simpler than, engineering. Its axioms should not be confused with theories
since they demonstrably exist as natural laws hitherto undiscovered."1a
"A science of the mind, if it were truly worthy of that name would have to
rank, in experimental precision, with physics and chemistry. There could be no
'special cases' to its laws."1b
6.5. Thus the following deduction from Mr. Hubbard's own writings are fully justified:
(a) That it is claimed that by making use of the techniques of Dianetics
approximately 70% of all human illnesses can be cured.
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1Hubbard L. Ron: Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The Garden City Press Ltd.,
Letchworth, Hertfordshire, Great Britain. Fifteenth Printing, May 1968, a) p. ix;
b) p. 5.
*Hubbard L. Ron: What is Scientology?, p. 6.
*Hubbard L. Ron: Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, p. 91.
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