飲食源自於人類天生的本能。渴則飲，饑則食，此種生理需求與行為模式，基本上與動物無異。然而，由於人類在飲食上的種種發明、創新與變化，遂讓不同人群的飲食方式，產生了各式各樣屬於其自身的特色；並且，復由於學習、承襲，而形成不斷延續的傳統，故而所謂「飲食」，可謂深具文化意涵，乃屬於人類所獨有。古代中國，在春秋戰國這段所謂的「先秦」時期，世局劇烈變動。當時，具有強烈世俗色彩的各國君主，即致力追求能滿足口腹之欲的美食。面對這種趨勢，不少試圖匡救世道的先秦諸子，即針對「飲食」之道，發展其各自獨特的見解。本論文旨在探討先秦諸子對「飲食」的相關討論。在儒者眼中，飲食與禮制密切相關，具有相當重要的倫理意涵，必須極其慎重與節制；至於飲食之道，也被各派諸子視為攸關人的道德、心靈與身體，而多所闡明。到了戰國時期，由於戰爭頻仍、生產力下降、糧食不足，諸子或強烈批判富貴者的恣縱於飲食，或以飲食的享受吸引國君施行仁政；更揭示飲食的生產、分配方式，與政治、社會之間的緊密關聯，並各自提出解決之道。最後，本論文從個體與群體兩方面，檢視飲食在人類生活中所具有的地位；並且，將它與當代糧食的生產、消費等問題，互相對照，從而省思先秦諸子對飲食之道的諸多討論，對今人所具有的重大歷史意義。

In China's classical age, the Spring and Autumn (770-476 B.C.) and Warring States (475-221 B.C.) periods predate the country’s unification under the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.). This was a time of intellectual ferment in which philosophers of different states considered the political and social crisis of their time and sought ideas to avert the collapse of the world as they knew it. Defining suitable way of ＂drinking and eating＂ (yinshi 飲食), as well as the manner that this practice sustained ideal human life, constituted one important element of their thought. This article examines pre-Qin philosophical views on yinshi. In that era, kings of different states cultivated refined appetites in pursuit of gourmet food and drink. Accordingly, philosophers, particularly Confucian thinkers, emphasized the importance of yinshi and its connection to the ideal social world. They deemed drinking and eating, as well as the self-discipline that properly accompany it, significant not just for enhanced ethical behavior, but also for the maintenance of good health. In addition, these philosophers identified food shortage as a critical problem of their time, one that required rectification if general order, prosperity, and moral development was to be maintained. This essay concludes with a discussion of the position of drinking and eating in human life from the vantage of both individuals and groups. This is advanced in comparison with the production and consumption of food in the modern world. Such a contrast helps us better ascertain the profound impact that pre-Qin yinshi thought has had on people today.