ON LISTENING TO THE SERPENT: RELATING THE BIBLICAL BOOK OF GENESIS, JEAN PIAGET ON EGOCENTRISM, “ORIGINAL SIN,” AND PAUL MacLEAN ON THE TRIUNE BRAIN
Abstract
The editors of Genesis 1-11 continually depict human as rebels against their creator. In chapter three they proposed an explanation for this attitude. We can think of It as an inner compulsion that modern persons call “egocentricity,” mythologically explained as inspired by a “wise” serpent. That creature’s ability to deceive humans (Hebrew ‘adam, “humankind”) was suggested by its perpetual rebirth as evident in the shedding of its skin. Its wisdom derived from association with the sapient spirits of the dead in tombs. Swiss child psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1980) noted that human egocentricity is inevitable from earliest infancy. It has similarity to the Roman Catholic doctrine of “Original Sin.” Neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean (1913-2007) attributed violent acts (“sin”?) to a pre- human stage of development. Evolution of the brain was three-fold, popularly designated as reptilian, mammalian, and primate. Values inherited from remnants of the reptile brain conflict with those of the primate brain. They include the urge to procreate, territorial possession, and being cold-blooded killers. Thus, evolution has introduced schizophysiology into our species. The mythology of Genesis reflects modern reality. The serpent brain continues to exist and urges humans to rebellion and violence. Biblical theologians in Genesis then outline a remedy for the inevitable voice of the serpent.