In keeping with the mathematical interests of his mentor Alain Badiou, Meillassoux claims that mathematics is what reaches the primary qualities of things as opposed to their secondary qualities as manifested in perception.
I henhold til sin mentor Alain Badious interesse for matematik, hævder Meillassoux, at matematik er hvad der når frem til tingenes primære kvaliteter, og ikke hænger fast i deres sekundære kvaliteter, som viser sig i perceptionen.