Psychiatry and Psychology in the Writings of L. Ron Hubbard |
| |
Authors: | McCall W Vaughn |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Objectives: Celebrity followers of the Church of Scientology have recently used their public forum to attack the modern practice of mental
health. The practice of Scientology is rooted in the religious writings of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. This paper will review
the religious writings of L Ron Hubbard to understand Scientology’s position on mental health.
Method: This paper reviews four of the major religious books written by L Ron Hubbard, in addition to a comprehensive overview of
Scientology compiled by Scientology staff.
Results: Hubbard’s theory of mind borrowed heavily from the earlier writings of Freud, until Hubbard’s psychological theory extended
to include a spiritual existence that goes beyond the material world. The goal of Hubbard’s psychology and religion were to
optimize the freedom of the individual, and he viewed psychiatry and psychology as inherently anti-spiritual and opposed to
personal freedom and self-realization. Ultimately Hubbard presents a world view of potential nuclear world cataclysm, fueled
by the geopolitical climate and mental health theories that dominated the mid 20th century.
Conclusions: Hubbard’s writings mirrored the times in which he lived. His views that mental health practices are inherently anti-religious,
freedom-inhibiting, and brain damaging do not reflect the modern-day practices of mental health.
Dr. McCall is presently Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Wake Forest
University School of Medicine. He completed his medical degree and post-graduate psychiatric training at Duke University.
He completed a Masters degree in Epidemiology from Wake Forest University. He is board certified in general psychiatry, geriatric
psychiatry, and sleep disorders medicine. His research interests include depression, electroconvulsive therapy, quality of
life, and insomnia. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Mental Health since 1995, and he
is author of more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. He is Editor of the Journal of ECT, Immediate-Past President of
the Association for Convulsive Therapy, and a prior Director of the Board of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. |
| |
Keywords: | psychiatry psychology mental health Dianetics Scientology L Ron Hubbard |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|