The Tree of knowledge of good and evil is symbolic of law. Law teaches us the differences between good and evil behavior, using positive and negative reinforcement.
Law is connected to the conscious mind; willpower and choice. Law gives us a choice for behavior, based on the cost benefit analysis, defined by a legal outcome. Prohibition inducing temptation is indicative of law also directing our choices via temptation. On the other hand, instinct is natural and is connected to the DNA and the unconscious mind. Law is the tree of knowledge, while natural instinct is the tree of life. Law is not innate, like instinct. Law is connected to the conscious mind and conscious choices.
The best way to understand how and why death appears, by accepting law; eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, can be understood by considering domesticated animals.
Natural animals have one center of consciousness connected to natural instinct. Their instincts are intertwined with who they are. On the other hand, an animal that is fully domesticated, is more under the control of humans. In domesticated animals, humans help induce a virtual secondary center in the animal. Human can induce a virtual conscious mind, that is unique to the animal, based on training, by the owner(s). But in doing so, the animal is no longer capable of fully fending for themselves in the wild. Their natural instincts are partially cut off. The same is true of humans. We have two centers of consciousness with the secondary more than virtual, as it is in domesticated animals. We pick up training much easier
The tree of knowledge of good and evil or law became a way for humans, to domesticate other humans, causing them to lose their natural instincts. Law was a collective virtual secondary induction, that was placed on top of a secondary, that was innate and distinct. Before eating of the tree of life, law was innate, via instinct; tree of life. It did not have to be taught from outside.
Based on science, the DNA of the animal underlies not just physical attributes but also their instincts. Our DNA is very conservative, meaning genes do not change quickly, but take a long time to change. The change that appears to occur, is epigenetic, which is based on a secondary layer on top of the DNA, that modifies genetic output, coming from our conservative genes.
In the case of the domestic animal, its instinctive DNA, is still there, being conserved. However, the DNA output for instinct is less conscious, due to the impact of the virtual secondary induction and epigenetic changes. The genes behind the DNA instinct, become semi-blocked, with respect to consciousness, but it still exists. If the animal was to escape, and live on their own, their DNA instinct will start to reappear; feral animal, as the epigenetic layer slowly dissolves. The same is true of humans.
In the Adam and Eve symbolism, once they eat of the tree of knowledge; law, they become a domesticated animal. Before this, they were more of a wild or natural animal. But once they chose the virtual secondary of law, then instinct; the tree of life, becomes more off limits; unconscious, due to the epigenetic connections to the DNA. It still remains, in tack, but it is sealed, but for a future time. The DNA and natural instinct is connected to the immoral soul, due to its long term conservative nature. While the conscious mind and law is always changing; dies and becomes reborn into new law. Law can even amplify death, such as will the laws of dictators.
Jesus was a sacrifice for sin, with sin connected to the law. Sin is only imputed where there s a law. If you repeal a law, there is no longer a crime or sin for the exact same behavior. Or if you forgive the sin, like a judge, who will not send anyone to prison, law is made ineffectual. The symbolism of forgiveness of sin is about minimizing the domestication training of humans; tree of knowledge, so humans could first become more feral, and then return to instinct and DNA; immoral soul and the tree of life.