Why did L. Ron Hubbard consider survival a basic principle of human existence?

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Father of Scientology — Scientology L. Ron Hubbard's seminal – and controversial – work was *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*, written in 1950.

L. Ron Hubbard identified survival as the basic principle of human existence because he concluded that it was the fundamental "pin" upon which all other aspects of human life could be understood and proven. He observed that all life is inherently driven to survive, positing that actions supporting this survival are inherently good and pleasurable, while countersurvival actions are destructive and lead to negative states.1

Hubbard believed that under normal conditions, the human mind functions analytically to make survival-oriented judgments. However, when the mind is compromised, the "reactive mind" may take over, storing negative experiences as engrams that can trigger irrational, countersurvival behaviors.1

To help individuals expand their survival beyond the self, Scientology encourages identifying with eight "dynamics," which range from the individual and family to all humankind, the physical universe, and ultimately infinity or God. This framework is symbolized by the movement's eight-pointed cross.1