Аннотация:The article reveals shows the theoretical and methodological problems of understanding the sources of law. On the basis of the general theory of law and the history of philosophy of law, it is shown that from the legal-dogmatic point of view, law is law, its source is the state; from the standpoint of the sociological direction, law is a legal relationship, legal order and acts of application of law; within the framework of the concepts of natural law, there is an identification of law with legal consciousness and legal ideal. Each of the main theories of law (legal positivism, sociological trends in law, natural law) expresses the real side of law and serves its implementation: the concept of natural law is important for legal education and development of existing law. Certainty and stability of legal relations, legality in the activities of state bodies and officials are unattainable without a positive understanding of law. Through sociological understanding, law acquires concreteness and practical implementation; without it, law remains only a declaration, a system of abstract wishes.