The article is devoted to one of the typical manifestations of the idealization of modern legal thinking, associated with the idealistic perception of subjective human rights. The author demonstrates the logic, mechanism of formation and contradictory nature of such idealizations using the example of a fundamental human right — the right to life. The article examines the mutual influence of the idealistic approach in understanding the essence of the right to life on international and national legislation, as well as practical problems in realizing the right to life in its absolutized (idealized) view. The author comes to the conclusion about the counterproductive nature of the idealistic approach prevailing in modern law in the perception of the right to human life.