What does indifferentism mean?
Indifferentism is a formal word for a state or attitude of being unconcerned, disinterested, or deliberately neutral. It can describe a person’s failure to respond to social problems, the approach of a person or institution that refuses to take sides, or, in philosophical discussion, a broader commitment to neutrality. The word often carries a critical or negative implication because indifferentism can suggest that important issues, other people’s experiences, or moral responsibilities do not merit attention. In less critical contexts, however, it may simply name impartiality or freedom from preference. Indifferentism is more commonly encountered in political, religious, philosophical, and literary contexts than in casual conversation. It is related to indifference, the condition of not caring, and to indifferent, meaning unconcerned or neutral. The word is useful when discussing the difference between choosing balance and disregarding a subject altogether.
nounIndifferentism is the state of being indifferent, especially a deliberate lack of interest, concern, or sympathy toward a particular subject, issue, or group. It may also refer more broadly to the principle or practice of being neutral or unconcerned.
- A state or attitude of being indifferent, especially deliberate lack of interest, concern, or sympathy toward a subject or group.
"His apparent indifferentism toward the suffering of others left the community divided."
"The candidate was criticized for his indifferentism toward environmental policy."
"Academic indifferentism can make it difficult to discuss difficult ethical questions openly."
Indifferentism names the point where neutrality stops being a choice and becomes a worldview.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indifferentism come from?
Indifferentism developed from indifferent, which comes from Latin indifferens, meaning “not different” or “unconcerned.” The Latin form was built from in-, meaning “not,” and differre, meaning “to be different” or “to separate.” Its modern sense of neutrality and lack of concern developed through English usage in the 17th century. The suffix -ism is used here to form a noun denoting a condition, attitude, or doctrine.
Related word forms
How indifferentism is actually used
The term is more formal and relatively uncommon in everyday English. It can be neutral, describing impartiality, but it often implies indifference to suffering, injustice, or serious concerns.
Easily confused with indifferentism
Indifference is the broader quality or feeling of lacking interest or concern, whereas indifferentism more often names a condition, attitude, or principle of deliberate neutrality.