On the Essence of Legal Consciousness

In his work "On the Essence of Legal Consciousness", the famous Russian philosopher Ivan Alexandrovich Il'in summarizes the results of his research on issues of power and state structure. Studying the concept of legal consciousness — a form of social consciousness reflecting the relationship of individuals and society to existing law — Il'in reveals the spiritual meaning and state purpose of legal consciousness. According to the author, legal consciousness is necessary as one of the foundations of the state, defining the readiness of the people to be guided by moral principles of spiritual and moral life in their daily activities. Written in 1919, the work was published only after the author's death, and in Russia, it was first published in 1993. This edition also includes the works "The Concepts of Law and Force" and "On Courtesy".