Morality and Goodness in Rousseau's Emile Anonymous College

In Rousseau's Emile, all naturally-created things are inherently good. Rousseau states that man and society are what corrupt Amour de son (or self-love that is innate and worthwhile), turning it into Amour proper (or self-love under social pressure). In order to be a good man, one only has to remain true to nature. This process is shown as the tutor, Jean-Jacques, isolates Emile from society as a child. A moral man, however, is different from a good man: when confronted with a non-natural issue such as the causes behind amour-propre, a moral man can maintain his goodness.

The tutor tests and cultivates Emile's imagination and morality by funneling these qualities into a love for others, and by guiding him through his courting and eventual marriage of Sophie. Emile turns into a "moral man" from a "good man" through this process by facing several issues during his courtship, which could have corrupted him. Jean-Jacques knows that the emergence of amour-propre is inevitable. Regarding love, he says, "As soon as a man has need of a companion, he is no longer an isolated being. His heart is no longer alone... His first passion soon makes others ferment" (214). In order to be loved, one has to be "...more loveable than another......