Final answer:
The book 'Perspectives on Traditional Law' deals with the debate over the relationship between law and morality, with notable contributions from philosophers like Raz and Hume, who challenge the notion that legal authority must stem from moral or religious tradition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The book “Perspectives on Traditional Law” primarily discusses the contentious relationship between traditional laws and the moral principles that underpin them. Joseph Raz's collection of essays, titled “The Authority of Law: Essays on Law and Morality,” explores this by analyzing the concept of legal authority and its correlation with moral codes. Raz challenges longstanding beliefs by dismantling the idea that laws must always be morally guided or that morality is a necessary condition for legal authority.
Philosophers like Hume have contributed to this discourse by emphasizing the observable nature of the laws of nature, in contrast to the supernatural claims often associated with traditional laws. When Hume published his work challenging these notions, it was seen as a direct confrontation to religiously backed legal traditions and has continued to be a crucial reference in discussions on the subject. Benedictow's summary of this debate further illustrates the controversial nature of tying legal systems to traditional and often religious moral standards.