This is the title of my research master’s thesis. It took me 1 year and 3 months to complete. I mostly want to use this space to jot down my own thoughts on the project, since there isn’t really space for that anywhere in the actual thesis.
I won’t discuss the content in that much depth, but the general idea of the thesis is to criticise some existing theories regarding ‘negative’ freedom. I do not necessarily advance a strong positive argument for how I think freedom should be exactly defined. My general desire is to broaden how we think of freedom, so it can better encapsulate societies most oppressed, vulnerable, and exploited.
I don’t think the thesis is overly radical or political, which is a shame. I will admit that I felt a little restricted by ‘academia’ when writing it. I did feel like I had to write it in a specific way, and I was worried about expanding myself out too much into the more overtly political arguments. I am also aware that I did not spend a lot of time examining broader ideas in this space, which has led to this thesis being very analytical. I don’t really know if I think that is a bad thing, but it is a thought I have regarding it.
I am, however, proud of the arguments I develop and advance, and I am proud that I completed the thesis. I passed with only minor corrections, and these corrections related entirely to grammatical and typographical errors, not content, which considering the stress I felt was a huge relief after such a long marking period. I am also happy with what doing this research has taught me, particularly related to further research I may desire to do. If I pursue a PhD, I know that to be happy with my time doing it I need to ensure I can maintain my own voice, and ensure I am writing exactly what I want and for my exact desired purpose. I am also brutally aware of my own shortfalls of self-motivation, which I am aware will require a lot of work before I can effectively pursue any further study.
This research is also a reflection of a year and a half (almost) of my life. I have had some beautiful, perfect moments during this masters, but also some catastrophic lows and sad points. I have had four different jobs and moved twice during it. I am glad I did it, and I hope it allows for me to continue to pursue further study and to find fulfilment in something I do genuinely enjoy; writing. Albeit, sometimes I hate writing, but the act of putting my emotions, thoughts, and ideas out there for people to engage with and enjoy is what I love, and this master’s really encapsulated that.
My acknowledgments really sum up where my thanks deserve to go regarding this project, and it would feel wrong not to mention it here as well. Despite everything, I still mean every single word in my acknowledgments, with all my heart, gratitude, and thanks to everyone mentioned.
If you wish to read my thesis, it is publicly available HERE.
Don Brookes - Writings 