All philosophy is hermeneutical, at least in an irreducible, minimal sense. Whether or not a thinker chooses to interpret earlier views in the history of the tradition, to pursue philosophy at all is to presuppose an interpretation of the philosophical discipline. But, despite the importance of the hermeneutic element for the philosophical process itself, it is unclear how philosophers can best interpret the historical tradition. It is significant that, at this late date, we possess neither specific rules, nor even an accepted basic framework, governing the reception of preceding philosophy.