The term indifference refers to the state of mind of a person who feels neither attraction nor rejection for any of the situations he or she lives. It is not showing interest or affection for something or someone. In some occasions it has the character of self-defense against the fear of being psychologically hurt. Indifference is also attributed to imperturbable people. In the Greek Philosophy imperturbability was called ataraxia, a state of mind that allows to live in calm.

So far, indifference is only a state of mind that has no negative consequences for others. But there is also hostile indifference. It consists in the performance of subtle acts aimed at deliberately ignoring someone. Let us look at two real examples.

The first: some of the players of the Spanish national soccer team that won the Eurocup shook hands with the President of the Government with 'reluctance'. Second: a member of the Government bench, at the moment of being questioned by a deputy of the civil service examination, usually does not look him in the face, pretending that he is writing something.

This subject of indifference makes the person affected by it 'invisible'. Indifference is linked to insensitivity and coldness. "Sometimes indifference and coldness do more harm than outright dislike" (JK Rowling).

To be indifferent to someone implies that you are putting all your feelings aside, that they do not exist for you. For Elie Wiesel, Romanian writer and survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, the society in which he lived was composed of three categories: the murderers, the victims and the indifferent.

Indifference overrides our expectations of those we thought would be on our side. Sometimes we prefer to receive some unpleasant word, because it shows that the other person still cares about us. But when we do not receive even a sign, we feel that we no longer matter.

Long projected indifference to a specific person or group is a form of mistreatment. A study carried out at the University of California showed that this dynamic subject based on exclusion and carelessness generates pain and anguish. It is a suffering that transcends our emotions to reach our body as well.

Perhaps there is nothing more destructive than feeling that we are completely irrelevant to someone close to us. But indifference is not limited to personal relationships; it seeps into the social and political realm, fostering silent accomplices to all subject of injustices. We live in a society disinterested in participating in joint events. This is a symptom of disunity and individualism. For example, social tolerance of alcohol consumption, gambling and unrestricted Internet access by minors.

Indifference prevents dialogue, which predisposes families to drift apart. One of the causes of marital breakups today is indifference between married couples.

In a friendship or love relationship, indifference often damages the quality of the bond and the well-being of those involved. Indifference creates a barrier that increasingly separates them and increases the severity of disagreements. The victim of indifference feels a deep emotional discomfort, as the other isolates and discredits him or her. This is so because people, as social beings with emotional needs, aspire to establish a relationship of constant interaction with our loved ones.

If at a given moment we begin to perceive silences, emptiness and coldness, it is not good to give up. The best thing to do is to try to understand what is happening. This emotional disconnection always has an origin and as such must be clarified so that we can act accordingly. The mere fact of facing the problem is the beginning of therapy.

Indifference is contrary to social responsibility. The person who places himself in an indifferent position towards another is because the feeling of responsibility before the humanity of the other does not disturb him.

To build a more humane society, it is essential to recognize and confront indifference in all its forms. It involves cultivating the social virtues: honesty, trustworthiness, truthfulness, liberality and fairness. It is the way to build bridges instead of walls.