Abstract

ABSTRACT Literal biblical interpretation advocates the view that at the outset of the paradise story Adam and Eve were only banned to eat of the tree of knowledge. The present paper challenges this view through an economic, ra-tional choice interpretation and the application of a self-interested decision calculus (model of economic man). I mount the thesis that, on grounds of a rational choice reconstruction, Adam and Eve must have been implicitly banned from the outset not to eat of the tree of life, despite no explicit ban be-ing stated in Genesis. The paper argues for the validity and insightfulness of such a rational choice analysis of the paradise story, which considerably clari-fies the conceptual logic and structure of the Eden story.

Highlights

  • In biblical interpretation, both mainstream theological exegesis and modern or postmodern, critical approaches, it is generally accepted that Adam and Eve were only banned to eat of the tree of knowledge when the story of the theft unfolds.[3]

  • I mount the thesis that, on grounds of a rational choice reconstruction, Adam and Eve must have been implicitly banned from the outset not to eat of the tree of life, despite no explicit ban being stated in Genesis

  • In the paradise story, we find the explicit ban regarding the tree of knowledge

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Summary

Introduction

Both mainstream theological exegesis and modern or postmodern, critical approaches, it is generally accepted that Adam and Eve were only banned to eat of the tree of knowledge when the story of the theft unfolds.[3]. If one wanted to argue that the snake protected the tree of life, this leads back to the question of whether this tree was banned (rather than being permitted but not attainable) These insights provide the starting point for a critical rational choice interpretation of the question whether Adam and Eve were banned, from the outset of the paradise story, not to eat of the tree of life. The methodological approach followed by the paper links to the textual, narrative approach and, like Brett, I endorse methodological pluralism for interpreting the Old Testament.[14] In our case, rational choice theory provides the textual interpretation and reading schema through which I analyse the paradise story. In order to develop my economic, rational choice critique I focus on implied, indirect intentions and on motives of the biblical text In this way, I clarify Genesis 2-3.

Rational Choice Theory: A Brief Introduction
Rational Choice and the Tree of Life
Conclusion
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