This paper contrasts materialism and theism in their ability to give a plausible account of mathematics. The ideal, abstract entities of mathematics do not fit readily within a materialist world. Truth, logic, and mathematics require the existence of universal norms. However, materialism has no place for abstract entities or universal norms. How can such ideal norms, inert in themselves, influe...

in this paper i explore surprising parallels in the arguments between dualists and materialists in the philosophy of mind in india and the west. in particular, i compare the nyaya school of india with cartesian dualism and its western defenders and the carvaka school of india with contemporary western materialists.