Conflict of interest

Etymology

“Conflict” from Latin “conflictus” (“a striking together”); “interest” from Latin “interesse” (“to be between, to matter”). The phrase became a formal concept in law, medicine, and journalism in the 20th century, capturing that the mere existence of competing loyalties compromises trust, regardless of intent.

noun phrase · /KON-flikt uhv IN-trist/
A situation in which someone’s personal stake could improperly influence a duty they owe to others.
What it names
The structural problem — not necessarily any wrongdoing — of being pulled between what benefits you and what you are obligated to do.
Example
A doctor paid by a drug company to prescribe its pills has a conflict of interest, even if the pills are the right choice.
Related idea
A conflict of interest is a compromised position, not an act; corruption is the actual abuse of a position for private gain, and a fiduciary is someone legally bound to put another’s interest first.