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Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science
Scientology Books
October 13, 2012    
This book is an excellent introduction to the subject of Dianetics, and an understanding of the material in it goes a long way in contributing to a more thorough understanding of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
First published as a book-length feature in Astounding Science Fiction (19,027 words), Evolution of a Science was written primarily with the scientifically literate public in mind. Much of the material came about through discussions among the scientifically-minded writers of the golden age of science fiction: Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur J. Burks, Ed Bodin, Willy Lea and the incomparable John W. Campbell, Jr. (author of the footnote removed from current editions of the book).
With that in mind, much of the chosen language and phrasing of the book becomes clear.
First published in the April edition of Astounding, the primary purpose of this book was one of promotion, to whet the appetites of the scifi fanbase for L. Ron Hubbard's soon-to-be-released Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. And it worked, far beyond what anyone had expected, propelling DMSMH into a position as one of the biggest bestsellers of all time.
As for the data the book contains, I personally found that it brought a good degree of clarity to DMSMH. Take, for example, one of the "yardsticks of Dianetics" discussed in DMSMH: The Introduction of an Arbitrary. It isn't expounded upon in DMSMH, but in Evolution of a Science this yardstick is laid out, "Introduce an arbitrary, and if it is only an arbitrary, the whole computation goes out." Aha!
Give the book a chance and read it with an open mind, I really think you'll thank yourself later!
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3.0
Reviewed by JohnSChristen April 06, 2013
Top 50 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (3)

The First LRH Book on Dianetics

This book is an excellent introduction to the subject of Dianetics, and an understanding of the material in it goes a long way in contributing to a more thorough understanding of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
First published as a book-length feature in Astounding Science Fiction (19,027 words), Evolution of a Science was written primarily with the scientifically literate public in mind. Much of the material came about through discussions among the scientifically-minded writers of the golden age of science fiction: Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur J. Burks, Ed Bodin, Willy Lea and the incomparable John W. Campbell, Jr. (author of the footnote removed from current editions of the book).
With that in mind, much of the chosen language and phrasing of the book becomes clear.
First published in the April edition of Astounding, the primary purpose of this book was one of promotion, to whet the appetites of the scifi fanbase for L. Ron Hubbard's soon-to-be-released Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. And it worked, far beyond what anyone had expected, propelling DMSMH into a position as one of the biggest bestsellers of all time.
As for the data the book contains, I personally found that it brought a good degree of clarity to DMSMH. Take, for example, one of the "yardsticks of Dianetics" discussed in DMSMH: The Introduction of an Arbitrary. It isn't expounded upon in DMSMH, but in Evolution of a Science this yardstick is laid out, "Introduce an arbitrary, and if it is only an arbitrary, the whole computation goes out." Aha!
Give the book a chance and read it with an open mind, I really think you'll thank yourself later!

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Independent Scientologist

Pros and Cons (optional)

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Simple, short, concise, clear
Cons
Densely worded, unusual tone, styled for a now-extinct audience

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self-analysis

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Self  Analysis (August 1951):  Possibly the best introduction to the subjects of Dianetics and Scientology. Self Analysis contains both a series of essays on the basic discoveries Ron had made up to this point in his research as well as an extensive auditing section that a person can do by themselves right at home. The book contains a special version of the Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation and a series of tests one can do to discover where you're really at. Then, by applying the processes from the second half of the book, one is guided through a path of self-discovery. At the end, you will re-do the tests to confirm your improvement. How good can you get? These techniques have been in use for more than six decades and Ron referred to them again and again throughout his research, stating that the processes here were capable of curing any neurosis.

This is the starting point for anyone wanting auditing. You will be audited by L. Ron Hubbard himself through the pages of this book.

Find a copy in used bookstores or at Alibris.com, Amazon.com, eBay. Or you can buy a new copy from these Church of Scientology organizations (but once you give them your address they may continue to send you junk mail) Bridge Publications or New Era Publications.