Materialism, the belief that matter is the basis of all reality, has dominated the sciences for centuries, and reaches beyond the laboratory walls to influence the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. But despite its profound influence, materialism is rarely taught as an explicit concept, even within science departments. Instead, it operates quietly within the background of the mind, beneath conscious scrutiny, where it shapes our thoughts, our behaviours, and our understanding of what sorts of ideas are plausible or acceptable. Ideas that conflict with the materialist paradigm are often sidelined, dismissed, or even scorned.