In the context of philosophical and legal knowledge in the article the definition of “civil society” is proposed and systematized known scientific approaches to understanding his appointed term. The basis of the article put research leading philosophers and authors' own attitudes and opinions on issues of research. It was found that civil society – a system of life support social, culturaland spiritual spheres, their reproduction and transmission from generation to generation, the system independently of the state of public institutions and relationships to ensure the conditions for selfrealization of private interests and needs, or individual or collective.
1. Sotsiolohiya: Korotkyy entsyklopedychnyy slovnyk [Sociology: Short Encyclopedic Dictionary] Sotsiolohichna asotsiatsiya Ukrayiny; uklad. Volovych V.H. ta in.. Kiev: Ukr. Tsentr dukhovnoyi kul'tury Publ, 1998. P. 108.
2. Korotkyy politolohichnyy slovnyk [Short Political Dictionary]. red. S.H. Ryabov, Z.I. Tymoshenko. Kiev: ROVO “Ukrvuzpolihraf” Publ, 1991. 95 p.
3. Odyntsova A.V. Hrazhdanskoe obshchestvo: proshloe, nastoyashchee, budushche [Civil Society: Past, Present and Future]. Socio-Political Sciences. 1991. Vol. 12. pp. 40-51.
4. Shchedrova H.P. Hromadyans'ke suspil'stvo, pravova, derzhavna i politychna svidomist' hromadyan [Gromadyanska suspіlstvo, legal, Power i polіtichna svіdomіst gromadyan]. Kiev: ISLO Publ., 1994. P. 11, 15.
5. Pavlenko R. Dynamika hromadyans'koho suspil'stva v Ukrayini [The dynamics of civil society in Ukraine]. The new policy. 1996. Vol. 5.
pp. 17 – 25.
6. Platon. Derzhava [Plato. State]. lane. with davnohr. D. Hutsul. Kiev: Osnovy Publ, 2000. pp. 241–270.
7. Aristotel'. Polityka [Politics]. lane. with davnohr. A. Kyslyuk.. Kiev: Osnovy Publ, 2000. pp. 16–17, 80, 88, 116.
8. Makiavelli N. Gosudar': Sochineniya [Sire: Works]. Moscow: EKSMO-Press Publ; Kharkiv: Folio Publ, 1999. 655 p.
9. Gobbs T. Leviafan, ili materiya, forma i vlast' gosudarstva tserkovnogo i grazhdanskogo [Leviathan, or matter, form and power of the church and the civil government]. Moscow: Mysl' Publ, 1991. V.2. pp. 96, 132-133.
10. Lokk Dzh. (1632–1704) Dva traktaty pro vryaduvannya [Two treatises of government]. Per. from English. O. Terek, R. Dymerets'. Kiev: Vydvo Solomiyi Pavlychko “Osnovy” Publ, 2001. P. 131, 192.
11. Russo Zh.-Zh. Pro suspil'nu uhodu abo Pryntsypy politychnoho prava [On public agreement or Principles political rights]. B.m.: Port-Royal Publ, 2001. pp. 26–27, 65.
12. Tokvil' A. de. Pro demokratiyu v Amerytsi [Democracy in America]. Per. of French. [2 vols.]. Kiev: Vydav. dim “Vsesvit” Publ, 1999. 587 p: il.
13. Sebayn Dzh. Istoriya politychnoyi dumky [History of Political Thought]. Kiev, 1997. P. 617.
14. Gegel' G.V.F. Filosofiya prava. [The philosophy of law]. per. s nem. AN SSSR. In-t filosofii; red. i sost. D.A. Kerimov i V.S.Nersesyants; avt. vstup. st. i primech. V. S. Nersesyantsa. Moscow: Mysl' Publ, 1990. 524 p.
15. Lisovyy V.S. Kul'tura – ideolohiya – polityka [Culture - Ideology – Politics]. Kiev: Vyd-vo im. Oleny Telihy Publ, 1997. 350 p.
16. Gegel' G.V.F. Entsiklopediya filosofskikh nauk [Encyclopedia of Philosophy]. Moscow: Mysl' Publ, 1997. T. 3. Filosofiya dukha [Philosophy of Spirit]. 471 p.
17. Marks K. Izbrannye proizvedeniya [Selected works]. Moscov: Politizdat Publ, 1986. T. 1. pp. 4–76.
18. Marks K. Ekonomichno-filosofs'ki rukopysy 1844 roku [Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844]. Kiev: Politvydav Ukrayiny Publ, 1980. T. 42. pp. 89–90.
19. Dyurkgeim E. O razdelenii obshchestvennogo truda: Metod sotsiologii [On the division of social labor: Sociology Method]. Moscov: Nauka Publ, 1991. 572 p.