Introduction to Scientology Ethics

by L. Ron Hubbard

There’s never been a way for man to right the wrongs committed, or to know with certainty which choices will ensure a brilliant and successful future. But now there is. With this book you can learn the technology of ethics and use it to keep your feet firmly on the road to freedom. The material in this book is not something someone does for you, it’s a personal matter. Learn it well, use it to keep your own counsel and be true to your own goals. The world can become pretty savage but with a full understanding of Scientology ethics and justice you will know exactly how to bring order to your life and the lives of your fellows.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Nonfiction

468 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

L. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.

Reviews

[Einzige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well for starters this has a particularly unique introduction for a religious / philosophical work as it has the following proviso -

"It is a record of Mr Hubbard's observations and research into the nature of man and each individual's capabilities as a spiritual being, and is not a statement of claims made by the author, publisher or any Church of Scientology"

It's odd as this enormous level of scepticism and provisional belief of the contents, is found nowhere else in or outside of the book which is incredibly certain of its complete truth and efficacy and has doctrines based on this assumption. If you want a sample simply look at the Goodreads description then reread the quote I have provided here and ask yourself how these could have been written by the same person.

As for the theory component of the book it believes that ethics has been mis-defined and actually consists of "rationality towards the highest level of survival for the individual, the future race, the group, Mankind and other Dynamics taken up collectively (pg.18). " Now the book itself doesn't really justify why these Dynamics are an accurate/best understanding of reality or why they should form the foundation of ethics but arguably that is something might be done in his other works like Science of Survival which introduces them.

This then gets worked out into a form of utilitarianism of the greatest good for the greatest number of Dynamics. Given that the definitions of Dynamics are fairly expansive and that they all have equal value at the first instance this sets the scene for an incredibly nuanced and complex system for utilitarian calculation. However the book does not discuss this as it effectively resolves the matter by holding that the flourishing of Scientology is the greatest good for the greatest number of Dynamics. This means ethical questions simply become a matter of figuring out what advances Scientology - and it explains why a great deal of the book is tied up with how to work and conduct HR within the Church of Scientology.

Some of the other lessons from the book are:

-As long as a person's work is consistently growing Scientology ( being upstat) a staff member is largely exempt from rules "I short, a staff member can "get away with murder" so long as his statistic is up and cant "sneeze" without a chop if its down" "p.239

-Publicly leaving Scientology is a worse action ethically than seducing a minor or embezzlement 304- 307)

-For every conflict between two people there is a third responsible party

-Scientology's teachings will not work and you aren't to receive them if you are connected to a person who is opposed to scientology or who is otherwise a suppressive person.

-Connected to the above - People will only abruptly leave Scientology if they have committed bad acts.

-Humans are inherently good to the extent that they if they do wrong they will automatically diminish their ability to harm - most notably by getting sick. This scales with the perceived wrong hence a tradesman who ripped off Scientology for work ended up in hospital dying from tuberculosis once he knew the good work the it was doing, a similar thing happened to a bill collector who ended up committing suicide pg 42. Combine this with the point above and person leaving Scientology can then be seen as a literal life and death matter.

-If a Scientology organisation isn't performing well, so long as the teachings are properly being applied, short of a natural disaster the cause is staff members, acting unethically, having undeclared wrongs or being connected to a suppressive person, there is no allowance for any flaw in the doctrine.

That said I can see why some people who aren't Scientology staff members really do like this as are some broadly good HR principles contained within it (particularly when it comes to the importance of understanding ones role and tasks).

[Rob Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there were more stars I would put them up.
If you are struggling with groups or self worth or even want to get improved conditions on your job or business this book with have answers like nothing else.
A step by step no nonsense codification of what some of the problems are and how to handle them.
I re-read this book constantly and refer to it throughout my work week.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have studied philosophy for a very long time. I can honestly say I have never come across an actual system of justice or ethics which actually works, until this book. This book outlines the only ethics system which produces real results and moves conditions upwards. A lot of the book is not necessarily for a brand new person to the subject, but at least the first half of it can be applied with great effectiveness by anyone. It is simple to understand, reads well, and has information that can be applied immediately. I especially recommend this book to business owners. I don't know how I ever got along without it.

[Alex Pinnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is actually a collection of letters which may explain why others have found it a little disjointed. I however found this book to be incredibly practical and very, very powerful in application.

I run my own business and applied the ethics conditions contained within the book to my business after generating statistics. The results where quite frankly amazing. There is an ethics condition formula for every statistic - it doesn't matter what the situation is, there is an answer for it.

Scientology is a practical religion, not just something you believe in but something you do! In this sense, the book is represents an excellent opportunity for those new to the religion to actually learn something new and apply it to their everyday lives.

I know this is a big statement to make, but Introduction to Scientology Ethics is the most helpful and practical business related book I have come across. I recommend this book to all Scientologists and interested members of the public.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total guidebook for success in life if one follows the principles. One of my favorite books.

[Leah Wrightsob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't make it past the first 100 pages purely because the writing is shit and the logic is all circular. I should have known though, there is a Note to the Reader in the front that pretty much reads as "don't judge us by how badly L. Ron wrote this crap."

[Shea Mastison · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no disputing that L. Ron Hubbard was a master of management. And this book, is one-thirds ethical philosophy, two-thirds management tactics.

L. Ron Hubbard is a divisive figure; but he's uniquely American. Only someone thoroughly infused by the American ideal could sell spiritual enlightenment so bold-facedly. Only someone uniquely American could make it profitable.

There are some interesting ideas concerning the nature of ethics and justice in Scientology. It's much more workable than the sentimental understanding that most people seem to have. If you're willing to look at unpopular ideas, you could see that Scientology is superior in moral content than Christianity; and this book would be of interest, even if it was just on an intellectual level.

I recommend for all of my friends interested in philosophy.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished this book. A lot of interesting segnments and worthwhile parts but overall seemed to apply to professional application and more specifically with running the organizations in the Church of Scientology, the first of which is not of much interest to me at this time and the second of which is only interesting insofar as revealing the dynamics of CoS.

Not a bad book, probably works very well for what it is designed to do, but I do not paricularly recommend this book to the average reader, especially if you haven't read any other Hubbard books.

[Anthony Ventrello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it is one one of the last book in the Basics, it is by far one of the most important. Loaded with data that is relevent to your life in the church and your life in general, this book may be one of the most important books you will ever read. The title itself says it all.

[Zoe Croman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! The first time I read the difference between "ethics" and "justice", I cried in a relief I didn't know I needed at the blowing off of the snarled up confusion society had passed on to me on those subjects.

The chapters on Conditions and Formulas ALONE will save your life, your business, and your relationships, not to mention the 362 other pages of invaluable information.

110% worth the read!!! And completely worth your money on the accompanying course.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The church of Scientology is a money making farce. Hubbard's ethics are fictional works from a proven swindler. His tech does not work.

[gianana · Rating 1 out of 5]

aka cult basics

[Nina Verde · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite “workbook” when it comes to solving problems with people, work, family, career and volunteer work.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ask me.

[Edwin Stratton-Mackay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one is totally berserk. Scientology ethics is a recipe for dissolving one's conscience.

[Ward Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and found nothing weird about the philosophy. All the strange things that creep in later such as space aliens are nowhere to be found.