Article # 0005

An Eschatological Laundry list
By Sheldon Kopp

2025-06-15
...by Midwest Skeptic

Intro Notes

Main Body

An Eschatological Laundry list: By Sheldon Kopp (1974)
A Partial Register of the 927 (or was in 928?) Eternal Truths.

Sheldon Kopp.

Sheldon Kopp's work is a rich blend of psychology, philosophy, existentialism, and spirituality, often expressed through direct, plainspoken language. His writing doesn't fit neatly into one discipline — and that's exactly what made it powerful. Here's how his work overlapped those fields:

How Sheldon Kopp’s Work Spans Psychology, Philosophy, and Existentialism

Psychology and Psychotherapy:
- Focused on the therapeutic relationship as a mutual, human encounter.
- Stressed the humanity of the therapist — not an authority, but a fellow traveler.
Philosophy and Meaning:
- Embraced existential themes: life has no inherent meaning — it's up to us to create it.
- Rejected the idea of objective or universal moral truths.
Spirituality and Myth:
- Believed myths and spiritual narratives are meaningful even without being factually true.
- Drew from multiple traditions (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity) for psychological insight.
Personal Responsibility and Growth:
- Emphasized radical self-honesty and the acceptance of personal responsibility.
- Believed suffering and paradox were central to the human condition — and to personal growth.
Anti-authoritarian and Existentialist Ethos:
- Critical of social conformity and rigid belief systems.
- Valued the individual's subjective experience and autonomy.

An Eschatological Laundry list: By Sheldon Kopp (1974)

1.	This is it.
2.	There are no hidden meanings.
3.	You can't get there from here and besides there's no place else to go.
4.	We are all already dying and we will be dead for a long time.
5.	Nothing lasts.
6.	There is no way of getting all you want.
7.	You can't have anything unless you let go of it.
8.	You only get to keep what you give away.
9.	There is no particular reason why you lost out on some things.
10.	The world is not necessarily just. Being good often does not pay off and there is no compensation for misfortune.
11.	You have a responsibility to do your best nonetheless.
12.	It is a random universe to which we bring meaning.
13.	You don't really control anything.
14.	You can't make anyone love you.
15.	No one is any stronger or any weaker than anyone else.
16.	Everyone is in his own way, vulnerable.
17.	There are no great men.
18.	If you have a hero, look again: you have diminished yourself in some way.
19.	Everyone lies, cheats, pretends ( yes, you too, and most certainly I myself).
20.	All evil is potential vitality in need of transformation.
21.	All of you is worth something, if only you will own it.
22.	Progress is an illusion.
23.	Evil can be displaced but never eradicated, as all solutions breed new problems.
24.	Yet it is necessary to keep on struggling towards solution.
25.	Childhood is a nightmare.
26.	But it is very hard to be an on-your-own, take-care-of-yourself-cause-there-is-no-one-else-to-do-it-for-you grown-up.
27.	Each of us is ultimately alone.
28.	The most important things, each man must do for himself.
29.	Love is not enough, but it sure helps.
30.	We have only ourselves, and one another. That may not be much, but that's all there is.
31.	How strange, that so often, it all seems worth it.
32.	We must live with the ambiguity of partial freedom, partial power, and partial knowledge.
33.	All important decisions must be made on the basis of insufficient data.
34.	Yet we are responsible for everything we do.
35.	No excuses will be accepted.
36.	You can run, but you can't hide.
37.	It is most important to run out of scapegoats.
38.	We must learn the power of living with our helplessness.
39.	The only victory lies in surrender to oneself.
40.	All of the significant battles are waged within the self.
41.	You are free to do whatever you want. You need only face the consequences.
42.	What do you know...for sure...anyway ?
43.	Learn to forgive yourself, again and again and again and again.

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