I do through this thesis aim to reflect upon the reasonableness to why one should write a thesis. I do this by sharing with you four different parts. The first part is that of foragers and our common human heritage. The second one is set in the middle ages and the foundation of universities. In the third part the modern research university is examined whilst the fourth part aims to provide a sensible understanding of today. I do look at the reasonableness to undergo the work for a thesis in all of these parts whilst proposing an idea concerning human confusion and our need for belonging which leads us to believe in an imperative prerogative (IP) which may be said to be the context in which we find ourselves.The IP would further dictate what knowledge is and is not, which would highly relate to the reasonableness of conducting a thesis. In an IP there are various stories, and one of them is that of education and writing a thesis. I ask of you as a reader to reflect upon and view our current higher educational system in a historical perspective. I, thus, aim not to provide you with innovative new knowledge in business but rather to reflect upon our current educational system in our society, which I would argue, is taken over by the businesses and its rules and norms.

viii, 227 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The system of higher education in the United States suffers from deficits in several generally agreed-upon categories, including affordability, access, effectiveness of teaching and learning, and usefulness of degrees awarded. Many recommended reforms, particularly those from mainstream sources, are problematic, however. Paulo Freire's philosophy of liberatory education is a valuable source for addressing this issue. His discussion of the banking system of education provides a useful lens through which to analyze some of the problems with the current system as well as many recommended reforms, particularly calls for greater accountability for student learning. The problem-posing method of education that Freire advocates as a solution to the banking system, in turn, offers a valuable model to draw upon in the attempt to propose an effective solution to problems in higher education in the US. I apply Freire's philosophy to the 2006 report by the Commission on the Future of Higher Education. / Adviser: Scott L. Pratt