Conflicts of interest can create challenges in what area of ethics?

Conflicts of interest can significantly undermine the integrity and objectivity required in decision-making processes. When an individual has multiple interests or stakes in a particular outcome, their ability to make impartial and fair decisions is compromised. For instance, if a decision-maker stands to gain personally from a specific choice, their judgment may be swayed, leading to biased outcomes that do not necessarily reflect the best interests of all stakeholders involved.

Maintaining integrity means adhering to moral and ethical principles, while objectivity is about remaining unbiased and fair. When conflicts of interest arise, they threaten this very foundation, as the individual's personal interests can override their ethical responsibilities. Therefore, managing and mitigating conflicts of interest is critical to preserving the integrity of decision-making processes within any ethical framework.