Challenges Facing Legal Science. Part II. Formalism or Content?

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of determining the directions of further development of legal science. Purpose. The need to change perceptions about the criteria of scientific knowledge in jurisprudence is substantiated. Methodology. The author used general scientific and interdisciplinary methods and approaches, in particular analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction, and a systematic approach. Results. In scientific research in relation to jurisprudence, there is a predominance of form over content, excessive dogmatism, subjectivism, mixing of science and practice, and the dominance of logical analysis of legislation and judicial acts. It is noted that science should be based on objective patterns that do not depend on the state of legislation, judicial practice, and the subjective point of view of the author. The necessity of placing greater emphasis on interdisciplinary research and searching for original ideas (hypotheses) is substantiated. Conclusion. Further development of jurisprudence is possible only if the formal approach to scientific research is overcome, and knowledge gained in related fields of science is used in them.