Meaning: Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel was a German poet, literary critic, philosopher, philologist, and Indologist. He was a key figure in the German Romantic movement and is known for his influential work in literature and philosophy. The quote "Mathematics is, as it were, a sensuous logic, and relates to philosophy as do the arts, music, and plastic art to poetry" reflects Schlegel's view on the relationship between mathematics, philosophy, and the arts.

In this quote, Schlegel is drawing a parallel between mathematics and philosophy on one hand, and the arts, music, and plastic art with poetry on the other. He is suggesting that mathematics is a form of "sensuous logic," implying that it involves a combination of rationality and perception. This idea aligns with the notion that mathematics is both a rigorous, logical discipline and an area that requires intuition and creativity. Schlegel's characterization of mathematics as "sensuous logic" suggests that it engages the senses and the intellect simultaneously, much like the experience of appreciating art or music.

Furthermore, Schlegel compares the relationship between mathematics and philosophy to that between the arts, music, and plastic art with poetry. Just as the various forms of art and music relate to poetry in different ways, mathematics and philosophy have distinct yet interconnected roles in the realm of intellectual inquiry. Schlegel's comparison highlights the interconnectedness of these disciplines and implies that they all contribute to a broader understanding of the human experience.

Schlegel's view on the relationship between mathematics and philosophy reflects a holistic approach to knowledge and understanding. He suggests that these disciplines, along with the arts, are not isolated from one another but are interconnected and complementary. This perspective aligns with the Romantic movement's emphasis on the interconnectedness of different forms of human expression and thought.

From a philosophical standpoint, Schlegel's quote can be interpreted as emphasizing the importance of integrating different modes of thinking and understanding. Mathematics, as a discipline that involves rigorous logic and problem-solving, is connected to philosophy, which explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics. By likening mathematics to a "sensuous logic," Schlegel may be suggesting that there is an aesthetic dimension to mathematical reasoning, and that it is not purely abstract or detached from human experience.

In summary, Karl Schlegel's quote "Mathematics is, as it were, a sensuous logic, and relates to philosophy as do the arts, music, and plastic art to poetry" reflects his perspective on the interconnectedness of mathematics, philosophy, and the arts. By characterizing mathematics as a form of "sensuous logic" and drawing parallels between these disciplines and the arts, Schlegel emphasizes the holistic nature of human knowledge and understanding. This quote invites us to consider the ways in which different forms of human expression and inquiry can inform and enrich one another, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the world.