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My brother, an atheist, asked me that, but I did not know to answer him. If you stop and reflect, after eat the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve knew a totally new world. They came out of a "dark cave" and were able to think for themselves.
Why is this so bad? Why Hashem, in his infinity goodness, would be hiding them the knowledge?
He did not "hide". As already pointed in comments, the "dark cave" is where they entered, not the previous state.
It is explained [perhaps Nefesh haHaim?...] that, before eating the fruit, they did know the good and evil, but it was like something 'outside'; and by eating, they 'mixed' the evil into themselves.
Before, there was also tenptation (for example, the Snake) but it was like the idea to put one's hand into fire: it is possible, but everybody knows that it is bad. Now, we often do not know what is the evil -- it is blended in ourselves. And this is called דעת , to mix knowledge. But this is a damage.
[And, it is known (see in comments on the question) that, maybe the fruit would be permitted if they waited until Shabbos. So, it was just a matter of time. Now consider that, you do not explain to your 4-years old son all the details on how to make a baby: he has time to learn, why disturbing him now... You nor "hide" him where to buy drugs or a gun... Just better to him not to know.]
