Reference: Subject: Scientology Fundamentals
Here are Hubbard’s definitions for POSTULATE. Let’s look at each definition carefully.
“POSTULATE, n. 1. a self-created truth would be simply the consideration generated by self. Well, we just borrow the word which is in seldom use in the English language, we call that postulate. And we mean by postulate, self-created truth. He posts something. He puts something up and that’s what a postulate is.”
The English Dictionary defines POSTULATE as, “something taken as self-evident or assumed without proof as a basis for reasoning.” For example, underlying Einstein’s theory of relativity is the postulate that the velocity of light is a universal constant. Hubbard calls postulate, “a self-created truth.” But a postulate is made to resolve existing anomalies. A postulate is not something arbitrary.
“POSTULATE, n. 2. a postulate is, of course, that thing which is a directed desire or order, or inhibition, or enforcement, on the part of the individual in the form of an idea.
According to this definition, the postulate is an extension of the individual. This implies that the postulate could be arbitrary. In that case, the postulate itself would be an anomaly or an aberration.
“POSTULATE, n. 3 . that self-determined thought which starts, stops or changes past, present or future efforts.”
The purpose of a postulate is to resolves anomalies. It influences one’s effort but not in some arbitrary manner. Hubbard’s definition of postulate is missing this purpose.
“POSTULATE, n. 4 . is actually a prediction.”
A prediction cannot be arbitrary. It should be based on existing data. Therefore, a postulate must not be arbitrary.
“POSTULATE, v. 1 . in Scn the word postulate means to cause a thinkingness or consideration. It is a specially applied word and is defined as causative thinkingness.”
What is missing from the definition of postulate is that it must be well-considered, and it should not be arbitrary.
“POSTULATE, v. 2 . to conclude, decide or resolve a problem or to set a pattern for the future or to nullify a pattern of the past.”
A postulate must be consistent with all other postulates in order to accomplish the above. Inconsistent postulates shall simply create more problems.
“POSTULATE, v. 3 . to generate or “thunk” a concept. A postulate infers conditions and actions rather than just plain thinks. It has a dynamic connotation.”
Postulating puts forward a concept that actively resolves anomalies in past, present and future by forwarding a viable theory.
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Subject Clearing
The word POSTULATE as laid down by Hubbard has an incomplete definition. The purpose of postulating is to resolve anomalies. Therefore, a postulate has to be well-considered. A postulate cannot be arbitrary, otherwise, it may generate more anomalies, while resolving an anomaly.
This universe is built on a system of postulates. For a postulate to be effortlessly successful, it must be consistent with this system of postulates underlying the universe.
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Resolution
The following definition of POSTULATE is complete.
A postulate is a self-created truth based on which further reasoning is done. The purpose of postulate is to give form to the unknowable to fill the gaps in the knowable. The postulate may develop into a system of postulates and theories. Everything that we know is based on this system of postulates. To be valid, a postulate must be consistent with all other postulates.
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