Final answer:
The correct answer is option a. Isaiah Berlin differentiates between negative freedom, the absence of external constraints, and positive freedom, which is self-mastery and the capacity to control one's life. These concepts are fundamental to political theory and have implications for legal and political systems as well as individual autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Isaiah Berlin, a British political theorist, introduced a significant distinction between two types of freedom in his work "Two Concepts of Liberty." The first type, negative freedom, is the absence of obstacles, barriers, or constraints that one must overcome to do as one pleases. This concept of liberty reflects our ability to act without being obstructed by others or the government.
On the other hand, positive freedom is about self-mastery and the capacity to be the author of one's own life. It is not just about the lack of external restraint, but the presence of conditions and capabilities that allow one to make meaningful choices and participate in democratic institutions. Understanding these concepts is crucial in political theory and philosophy, as they have significant implications for how a society structures its legal and political systems and the way individual autonomy is respected and promoted within them.