Introduction. Currently, in theoretical and legal science, discussions continue about the un- derstanding of the content and the methodology of the knowledge of law. This article shows the theoretical approaches to the study of law in different historical periods. Law is analysed from the point of view of formal dogmatic jurisprudence, sociological direction in law, and the theory of natural law in both their historical and theoretical aspects. Theoretical Basis. Methods. The purpose of this work is to study the content of law as a sociocultural phenomenon. To achieve this, the following tasks are examined: the analy- sis of law as the most important social regulator of human activity is undertaken – which shows the right as a part of spiritual life. Further, the main legal schools and trends in law are analysed. In the course of the study, the following methods were used: analysis and synthesis, a her- meneutic, and a comparative approach. Results. As a result of the study, the author came to the following conclusions: 1) the plurality of methodological approaches to the study of the nature and purpose of law are due to the dialogical nature of theoretical and legal sciences (philosophy of law, theory of state and law, history of political and legal doctrines, and the sociology of law); 2) the basis of the methodological pluralism of legal thinking lies in the different content of law. This is where law is understood as an interest, as a freedom, as a social duty, as a morality, as an order of the authorities, as the discretion of a judge, as well as the degree of implementation of the legal phenomenon in the concrete historical conditions of society; 3) each doctrine of law and the state is a model for solving the legal issues of its time. This includes proposing and arguing for one or another option for maintaining public order. It is original and can (and should) be applied in specific socio-political conditions. Discussion and Conclusion. Each doctrine of law and the state is a model for solving legal issues of its time. Offering various options for resolving urgent political and legal issues, these theories can (and do) enter into conflicts with each other. Each of the legal concepts, offering and arguing for one or another option for maintaining public order, is original and can (and should) be used in specific socio-political conditions. At the doctrinal level, political and legal concepts are variants of alternative legal thinking, the validity and relevance of which is confirmed by the degree of demand at a particular historical stage of the develop- ment of society, law, and the state.