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JAN 16

In my view, the account emphasizes knowledge because it is an essential component of the human condition, and the creation story illustrated in Genesis establishes the foundation for knowledge within the world and amongst humans. Legaspi discusses different forms of knowledge that may be being conveyed by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. One route is centered on sexual relations, with the eating from the tree representing indulging in sinful sexual acts and losing purity. The other, which I see as holding more weight, is focused on the idea that “good and evil” represent two parts of a whole, and therefore eating from the tree allows Adam and Eve to have a full understanding and total knowledge. This over indulgence in my view and trying to have more than is allowed, alludes to the ideal of discipline, a virtue that I think God wants to give essential value. “Eating” is a very fitting verb to use, because it gets at the idea of consuming and having something completely become one with you. “Touching” or “looking at” something would be less emphatic, and would indicate a less intense and encompassing experience. The tree in my opinion is symbolic of God, something that creates good things. Eating from the tree is essentially eating the fruits that God has literally provided. The failure of Adam and Eve highlights the virtue of discipline, and how without discipline one may fail at anything. The act does not bring either of them closer to God; instead brings them closer to the serpent or the devil. It may be merciful that God banishes them from the Garden because it is a better fate than what He originally prescribed. Instead of being met with death, Adam and Eve are allowed to continue living and continue to make decisions between good and evil.