In the very beginning of time, in the book of Genesis, which is he piece of literature that many believe, is where the origins of man began, there are various elements of hierarchy.  These elements of hierarchy really are the foundations on which the modern world was built.

The book of Genesis is believed by a majority to be the earliest account on man.  Adam was said to be the first man, and his wife, Eve, given to him by God, was said to be the first woman.  God created Adam, he gave Adam a beautiful place to live, he gave him superiority over all the animals, and he was given the task of naming all the creatures of the earth.  When God saw that Adam was lonely, he created the first woman as a fit companion for man.  This woman was given the name of Eve, and she became the companion of Adam.

God laid down a law, and told Adam the positive and negative sanctions of breaking this law.  He told Adam that he and the woman could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden, except one.  They were forbidden to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil.  For if they ate of this fruit, they would die.  If they left this tree alone, they would have eternal life.  It was clear what they must do to please God, and for a period of time, Adam and Eve pleased God in their actions, and stayed strong in their faith.  However, this did not last, temptation and greed took over.

Eve was tempted by the serpent one day while she was in the garden.  The serpent told her that the reason God did not want her to eat the fruit, was because it would open her eyes and make her like a god, and that she would become more powerful than God.  Eve was confused as to what the truth was, she forfeited her faith in God, and believed the lies of the serpent.  After eating the fruit, she gave some to her husband, Adam.  They were immediately ashamed, they realized that they were naked, and so they hid themselves from God.

When God discovered what happened, he confronted Adam and Eve.  Adam blamed the sin on the creation of the woman, he said that he ate the fruit because she gave it to him.  Eve blamed the sin on the serpent.  They found fault in the creation.

Mankind is greedy, this has been true since the very creation of man, and it will probably be true until the end of time.  Mankind has a drive to grow and develop, and that is good in a sense, but when this drive turns into a greedy desire for more power, it is no longer good.  Greed drives faith away, and therefore brings negative sanctions.

God cursed them, but he was merciful and still gave them grace.  God cursed woman with the pain of childbirth, the grace in this is that woman could have children.  God cursed man with scarcity, the grace in this is that man would gain the value productivity and development.  They were cursed with death, but not immediate death.

Whether one believes the book of Genesis or not, it is the foundation of the modern world.