Normative Ethical Theories - Essay Example

Firstly, it is necessary to define and interpret the true nature and meaning of the deontological perspective as a means to adequately provide a normative interpretation of FGM. A deontological approach merely specifies that the end ethical consideration of a given action or decision must necessarily consider the impact upon the rights of other individuals in order to determine whether such a course of action or approach to a given issue impacts or infringes upon the rights of another. Naturally, for purposes of the subject matter regarding FGM, such an approach is appropriately suited to helping to come to a very clear and determinant point of view with regards to whether the practice should be allowed to exist or should be deemed ethically and morally reprehensible.

Without delving too deeply into the physiology involved, one can understand that the practice of FGM has far reaching implications for both the psychological and physical health of the child upon whom such a practice is directed. Moreover, the fact of the matter is that FGM does not ask the permission of the woman prior to being enacted. Almost invariably such a practice is employed prior to the child being able to speak, walk, or otherwise express themselves (Nussbaum 1999). In this way, one can readily see that the only shareholder in the process that has the ability to make a well informed and moral determination is the surgeon or individual who is responsible for cutting off the clitoris of the young child.

In this way, the needs of the woman that the young child will grow into are not considered, and no sought. A cultural interpretation of ethical and moral decision making is employed. As such, it is understood that it is the in best interest of the child involved to perform such a procedure. In this way, the ethical issues breaks down to a question of whether culture is able to be judged as a higher ethical good than any other normative ethical approach. It is the approach of the deontologist that such an answer can be found via an understanding of the net negative effects that such an approach affects on others.

From this point of view, it is clearly obvious the FGM is both barbaric and heartless as it pays little to no attention to the tender and un-vocalized needs of the woman who is having her genitals mutilated (Okwudili et al 2012). Moreover, the deontological approach views the issue from a very ethically determinant standpoint; if the impacts of a given action are causing pain/hardship, and/or harm by way of a specific action, it is therefore unethical and should be re-evaluated and/or discontinued.

As such, the type of obligation and duty that deontology speaks to engage the ethicist with the realization that he/she has an obligation to the needs and happiness of others affected by the choices that he/she will make in the ultimate determination of right and wrong. As with any of the normative approaches to ethical thinking, such an approach necessarily disregards one theory or practice at the expense of its own interpretation of what is ultimately right or wrong. As stated, from a deontological perspective, it is impossible for the ethicist to promote the process of FGM or any other such process that