Scientology: A New Science was written by L. Ron Hubbard in 1947 fifteen years after he began his studies of the mind, and was the manuscript offered to such organizations as the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. Instead of being accepted by these organizations, this thesis was accepted broadly by the public at large. Tens of thousands of copies of it have been circulated all over the world, mostly by the public itself, duplicating it, mimeographing it, even typing it with many carbons.

The basic science was named “Scientology” in 1938. In 1947 L. Ron Hubbard changed its name to “Dianetics” in order to make a social test of publication and popularity. That test completed, in 1952 he changed the science back to its original name, SCIENTOLOGY. This was done to inhibit its being monopolized for private purposes.

This work in its first manuscript form was called Scientology: A New Science. This was changed soon by L. Ron Hubbard to Abnormal Dianetics for offerance to the medical profession.

The first article, “Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science,” appeared months afterward [May, 1950 in the United States; June, 1950 in England, in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine].

It was in May of 1950 that Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published. Although the latter is widely known as “the first book,” A New Science actually holds that honor by three years.

Seven years after its first appearence, Scientology: A New Science is issued again for its historical importance, its simplicity and its usefulness to those studying the evolution of the science itself. It is very simple and workable even in the early form presented here.

[For the full text of Scientology: A New Science, read the book under its current title, Dianetics: The Original Thesis by L. Ron Hubbard. The only difference in the text is that the above article used the word “Scientology” in place of “Dianetics.” — Editor, 1975]