In the Garden of Eden, Adam was created immortal, and as long as he lived in God's will and likeness, he would live forever. He was as yet innocent and sinless, one can say almost perfect, except for his knowledge, which was only theoretical.
We say theoretical because by nature, Adam possessed theoretical knowledge of good and evil - it was innate and natural to him. This knowledge was was included in the "according to the image", which was his wisdom and prudence, his gift of discernment.
"Adam could discern both these things (good and evil)", says Saint John Chrysostom, and "it was impossible for him not to know what was good and what was bad", for "God from the very beginning in created man placed him within him Natural Law".
Thus man knew from the moment of his creation what was good and what was evil; what was beneficial and salutary and what was harmful and destructive.
But this knowledge was theoretical. He possessed knowledge but not experience.
He knew that his aim was to reach perfection and union with God, but perfection could only be achieved through practical AND experiential knowledge.
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