Problem
If Relativism is correct, then what is right is whatever a society or culture takes to be right. The terms "society" and "culture" are somewhat vague, however, since distinct social groups can include religious communities, for instance, as well as countries or cultural communities. This makes it possible for moral standards to vary not just from country to country but also from one religion group to another even within a single country.
For example, according to the teachings of Church of Christ, Scientist, illness is caused by sin and can only be healed by prayer. Ordinary physicians do not actually heal disease but merely relieve its symptoms. Seeking medical care is considered morally wrong as it amounts to a sinful rejection of faith in God. Instead, Christian Scientists may only consult Christian Science Practitioners- people specially approved by the Church of Christ, Scientist. The only exception is that anyone may set a broken bone, since this is not an illness. Christian Scientists are not the only group forbidding various types of medical care. In the United States there are groups that oppose all medical care and only practise faith healing.
For some members of these groups, the consequences have been devastating. Douglas and Rita Swan had been Christian Scientists all their lives and so knew little of even basic medicine. In 1977, their only son, 16-month old Matthew, developed a high fever. The Christian Science practitioners maintained that Matthew was being made sick by the negative feelings of his parents and that prayer was needed to cure him. When Matthew didn't get better, Douglas and Rita considered going to a doctor, but according to Rita Swan, they "were terrified that the doctor wouldn't be able to treat the disease...and then we'd have no way to resume the Christian Science healing. Thus, if we made the wrong decision, we could find ourselves bereft of help from both the medical science and God."
After 12 days, a practitioner suggested to the Swans that Matthew had a broken bone, which allowed them to go to a doctor. They did so immediately. In the hospital, Matthew was diagnosed with meningitis, which is very serious but can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early enough. Unfortunately, it was not early enough for Matthew, and he died in the hospital after receiving intensive care for a week. The Swans left the Christian Science church.
In 1983, they founded Children's Health Care is a Legal Duty (CHILD), an organization designed to protect children from "religious based medical neglect."
Choose from Moral Objectivism, Moral Relativism or Subjectivism and outline how the scenario above might have been different. Is it possible that there could have been a different outcome? Which theory offers the best possible outcome?