Grey Matters: Turning a Blind Eye: An Ethical Assessment

The phrase ?to turn a blind eye? means to deliberately refuse to acknowledge something that one knows to be true. Etymologists credit its origin to Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, who, at the naval battle of Copenhagen in 1801, willfully disobeyed a signal to withdraw because he was confident of success. Having a more accurate view of the battle, Nelson acknowledged the signal but ordered it not to be repeated to his fleet. Turning to his flag captain, he was reported to have said, ?You know, Foley, I have only one eye ? and I have a right to be blind sometimes.? Putting the telescope to his blind eye, he remarked, ?I really do not see the signal.? 1 Nelson?s triumph at Copenhagen was a key victory for the British Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars.