At this stage in the development of modern society, where the main direction for a long time has been the globalization of the political, economic and socio-cultural space, the problem of the use of violence arises sharply. Modern society seeks to develop non-violent peaceful forms of interaction in society and between societies, to increase the level of tolerance and cooperation in an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding, which, in turn, should ensure international security and peaceful coexistence. Along with these tendencies, destructive manifestations of interaction between individuals in society do not disappear, but undergo a number of changes, reproducing violence anew and creating conditions for conflict. The article examines such a phenomenon of social reality as violence, it is said that, despite the negative attitude towards violence in society, it continues to exist and remains one of the main tools for the constitution of social reality. As the basis for the definition of violence, the article takes the phenomenon of social coercion and shows that coercion that permeates all spheres of social reality is one of the main tools for its regulation and constitution. The article analyzes various options for the perception of violence, talks about the legitimacy and illegitimacy of its nature, depending on social realities and actors of violent interaction. The article pays special attention to the values that society operates, and demonstrates the relationship between the use of violence and the need to protect the values that are vital for the group and the individual. It introduces such characteristics as justice and injustice in relation to the use of violence, based on the example of the perception of violence as a morally justified and justified measure.