Dianetics: Book 1, Chapter 3 - The Goal of Man

The dynamic principle of existence is: Survive!

Dynamic = power, force, energy, motion. "Motivating" implies external stimulus; for me, "energizing" is better - gives a sense of internal power/energy riving the organism.

Survival graph works at the level of the life form as well as the organism. (Cognition: sensation of "mind" on other dynamics.)

Example of birth/death as a cycle of action, and this being a prerequisite for nearly infinite survival/continuance of something.

Zone 0 - Apathy
Zone 1 - Anger
Zone 2 - Bearable existence
Zone 3 - General happiness

I am currently in Zone 2, and want to be in Zone 3. Cognition: this is the real reason to want to get up the Bridge, not because I'm "supposed to". Doing what I am supposed to (i.e. other-determines) is a substitute for self-determined behaviour, because I can't or don't evaluate the situation for myself. Too many overts of omission (not brave enough to do the right thing)?

"Pleasure is the reward; and the seeking of the reward - survival goals - would be a pleasurable act." If you're not enjoying life, you are not pursuing survival goals!

There are four tone levels: physical (acute and chronic) and mental (acute and chronic). Physical tone is not of much relevance in Dianetics. Explains for me a confusion re whether a very low mental tone actually results in death; I guess yes, eventually: it might take a while for the physical tone to fall to the mental.

Note that LRH has already developed the tone scale in some detail: see description of different levels within zone 1.

This chapter gave me a real sense of the workability of Dianetics, because I better understand its goals, i.e. improved tone level, fewer illnesses, leading to better survival for the individual, the family, groups, and thus mankind.

My main reservations have been about the strength, faithfulness and with which memories may be retrieved, particularly in the Clear. Perhaps this is just a reflection of my own failings.

Repulsion from pain and attraction towards pleasure are inherent in the individual (inherited from the species). Dullness or reversal of these is due to aberration.

Personal note: I should make myself aware of actual effect of drinking, over-eating, masturbation on self, ignoring "morality" (although awareness of being immoral perhaps has its own negative effects).

Pleasure (in all its amazing variety, as wonderfully evoked in this chapter) is more of a "necessity" in the pursuit of survival than is the mere avoidance of pain.