Final answer:
The inconsistency lies in L. Ron Hubbard's state of being 'preclear' while composing 'Dianetics,' according to Scientology's teachings that a 'preclear' cannot fully utilize their analytical mind. Additional quotes reflect on the evolution of acceptance for new ideas in astronomy and the ongoing discussion about the certainty of knowledge and objectivity in science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inconsistency in the quote regarding Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard can be found in the statement that Hubbard did not become "clear" until four years after he wrote Dianetics. According to Scientology's teachings, a person who is not "clear" is considered a "preclear" and is believed to be able to use only a portion of their analytical mind, being susceptible to the whims of the reactive mind.
However, Hubbard, having written Dianetics and established the framework for achieving the state of "clear", raises questions about his own cognitive capabilities during the composition of the text if he himself was not yet "clear".
Another inconsistency highlighted in the other quotes relates to the mindset and acceptance of new ideas in various fields of study. For example, in astronomy, Maarten Schmidt reflects on the shift from authoritarianism to a more open consideration of new, even outlandish, concepts following the surprising discoveries in the 1960s.
Similarly, in literature, Pierce's ideas about objective knowledge and truth are juxtaposed with others suggesting that the lack of certainty discredits the possibility of gaining a complete understanding of reality. This is conveyed in the deliberation that there is a self-correcting method through which science continually improves our comprehension of reality.