Farkel	Re: The "Tree" of WHAT?
	wannahelp, : Is it possible that the "tree of knowledge" represented the point when man became aware of his existence? If you're saying that Genesis story is an allegory, then sure! It's a possibility. But the story sets out that Adam was smart enough to name all of the animals. Therefore he had speech at the very least. Speech which is not rote (like communication between birds and beasts), but requires thought, e.g. concocting a name for each animal is evidence of sentience. Therefore, if Adam was sentient and Eve was made from him, she was also sentient. Finally, if they were both sentient they were ALREADY aware of their existence. The simplest and clearest definition of sentience is "knowing that you know. : I.E. At that point, he became man, and not just an animal living for his animal existence (food, procreation, shelter).. But, once we "knew" that we were alive and were able to make choices for our own existence, we could feel "happy, sad, anger, etc...".. And, of course, we also knew that we would die some day... Once again, see my comment above. At the point in time that Adam could name the animals, he was sentient. Therefore your postulation that he somehow became "aware" at "that point" (eating of the fruit?) falls. Farkel
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