Final answer:
The four main ethical principles are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Conflicts between these principles can create ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and ethical reasoning to resolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four main ethical principles that guide ethical issues, especially within the context of healthcare and research, include: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make decisions about their own health care. Beneficence involves acting in the best interests of the patient or participant. Nonmaleficence is the obligation to not inflict harm intentionally, and justice refers to the distribution of benefits, risks, and costs fairly.
When these ethical principles are in conflict, it creates a challenge for healthcare professionals and researchers. In the event of such conflicts, a careful assessment of the specific situation is necessary. Professionals may prioritize principles differently based on the context, and often, ethical dilemmas are resolved through a process of negotiation and ethical reasoning, sometimes necessitating compromises.