Dianetics’ basic is a nominalized and simplified axiom of psychoanalysis and the whole of the psychodynamic paradigm. This is the notion of biographical-semantic constructivism. The the meaning and feeling that arise with emotion E at time T are determined by the previous instance of E at some earlier time. And the meaning and feeling of that E is determined, in turn, by the previous instance at some earlier time. The basic is the earliest instance of E in the person’s biography. The idea is that essential determination is earliest determination. That is to day, the fundamental quiddity of E is determined by the basic.

This model provides and appealing and intelligible solution to suffering. Since the basic instance of E (basic-E) is the condicio sine qua non of all later instances of E, “removing” basic-E will “release the charge” of all subsequent Es and also prevent the arising of future ones.