Confirming mathematical theories: An ontologically agnostic stance

The Quine/Putnam indispensability approach to the confirmation of mathemati cal theories in recent times has been the subject of significant criticism. In this paper I explore an alternative to the Quine/Putnam indispensabilit y approach. I begin with a van Fraassen-like distinction between accepting the adequacy of a mathematical theory and believing in the truth of a mathe matical theory. Finally, I consider the problem of moving from the adequacy of a mathematical theory to its truth. I argue that the prospects for just ifying this move are qualitatively worse in mathematics than they are in sc ience.