Redwave posted a question in another thread about whether or not MRT would or could cause less suffering than ERT models, most significantly materialist philosophy.
To respond, let’s first identify what exactly we’re talking about recognizes the distinction between MRT actually being true, and those who believe it to be true. Obviously, if MRT is actually true, one can still believe in External Reality Theory (ERT) and materialism. There may be ERTs that cause less or more suffering, depending on their specific qualities, so the specific question is: would belief in the specific MRT I am making the case for likely generate less suffering than a belief in materialism?
We must also define “suffering” for this conversation. There are many definitions of “suffer” which we would not be able to draw a well-reasoned distinction between MRT vs ERT in terms of quantity or quality. There is, however, one aspect of suffering where there is a clear, arguable difference: mental suffering, such as grief and despair. I think we can agree that grief and despair account for a significant amount of human suffering.
A deeply-rooted MRT belief system would virtually eradicate grief and despair in those that have achieved a thorough acceptance of it by contextualizing their existence and available options in a much different way.
Under materialism, when a loved on dies, they are gone forever. When that love is deep enough, this excruciating grief can last the rest of one’s life. Under my particular MRT, that loved one still exists and is immediately available to continue interaction with and the relationship continues. There would be no grief (of this sort) whatsoever.
One of the main components of despair under materialism is when one considers their situation (or some situation they care deeply about) to be inescapable, not capable of being improved or irreparable in their lifetime. Having a terminal disease, a loved one having a terminal disease, living in abject poverty or hunger with no reasonable path out, the state of the world or the environment, etc, would be examples. Also, there would be the existential despair of facing the end of your existence at death.
Under my MRT, virtually all situations are recognized as locations of experience one can leave and move deliberately towards whatever experiential location we desire. “Getting there” is just a matter of time and applied attention.
I think it is fairly obvious that at least in these cases of suffering, my MRT would very likely eliminate these forms of suffering. Also, I have myself employed my MRT successfully in this manner, and have trained others, similarly suffering and with various belief systems, in the use of MRT techniques to greatly reduce their suffering. So, I’ve personally experimented with it and have had good success.