Legal Values and Values of Law

Abstract

This paper focuses on the comparative analysis of the terms “legal values” and “values of law”. Special attention is given to a variety of approaches towards the definition of the term “value”. The term “value” is discussed as an abstract and common term, and rules of behavior and guiding principles are seen as norms. This article discusses features of functional connections and mutual conversions, which are aimed at emphasizing the fundamental differences between the two notions which are similar in many ways. This article pays attention to the phenomenological approach to research of legal values. We address issues of uniform understanding of the difference between legal values and norms that are necessary to identify ways of efficient formation of legal behavior, which is based on self-regulation and self-control of each person (each citizen). Comparative legal studies can determine legal values’ place in the system of other social values, their hierarchy. The significance of legal values that determine the behavior of subjects of law in legally significant situations is shown. Legal values are organically included in the mechanism for the implementation of rights and obligations.