Editor's Note

Abstract

Kuan Feng and Lin Lü-shih's work on reinterpreting pre-Confucian thought in the Yin-Chou period in the light of social class interests and conflicts shows a highly sophisticated use of Marxist methodology. It also uncovers many interesting problems, such as the basic modes of thinking in the Chou-i, the "Hung-fan," Yin Chi-fu, and Shih Po. By presenting the ancient thought in a reasoned manner, the Marxist methodology loses its forbidding dogmatic aspect and assumes a reasoned appearance open to argumentation. Kuan and Lin's work thus becomes a testing ground not only for an adequate understanding of ancient Chinese thought and its background, but for the adequacy of Marxism as a tool of understanding.