Eunil David Cho

2 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2021-2025

Papers

Do We All Live Story-Shaped Lives? Narrative Identity, Episodic Life, and Religious Experience

Religions January 23, 2021 Eunil David Cho 5 citations

The concept of narrative identity—the idea that humans are natural storytellers who develop a sense of self through life stories—has been criticized by those who distinguish between Diachronic (narrative) and Episodic (non-narrative) dispositions. This article examines the autobiographical writing of Leo Tolstoy, focusing on his personal religious experience as presented in William James' "The Varieties of Religious Experience." The case study shows how an Episodic person can become Diachronic, gaining a sense of unity and self through religious experience. The author argues that Episodic and Diachronic dispositions are not mutually exclusive; individuals may experience their lives in either manner at different points in life.

DOI: 10.3390/rel12020071 Full text Narrative identity Life story Autobiography Episodic memory +2

The Genesis of William James’s Psychology of Religion: From ‘The Principles of Psychology’ to ‘The Varieties of Religious Experience’

Religions November 26, 2025 John R. Snarey, Eunil David Cho, Shelby L. Hall

William James's two classic works, The Principles of Psychology (1890) and The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), are usually treated as separate, but this article argues that The Principles provides the psychological foundation for The Varieties. The authors identify ten conceptual connections between the texts, showing that James applied his principles on the brain, habit, stream of consciousness, subconscious, self, attention, association, and emotions to religious topics such as conversion experiences, mystical experiences, and saintliness. Some principles were also broadened through contact with religious data. Placing the texts in conversation yields a deeper understanding of James's psychology of religion.

DOI: 10.3390/rel16111404 Full text Association Attention Character Conversion experience +2