Kantlichter

Kantlichter is a fictional concept appearing in contemporary speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing games. It names a class of luminescent glass lanterns that respond to moral or logical engagement rather than to ordinary triggers. The term is not attested as a historical or real-world phenomenon.

Etymology: The name combines philosopher Immanuel Kant's surname with the German word Licht, meaning light. The construction signals themes of rational illumination and ethical reasoning.

Design and mechanics: Kantlichter are typically depicted as delicate glass spheres or wall lanterns that emit a soft glow. In narratives, their brightness or hue shifts according to the quality of a character's argument, the logical coherence of a discussion, or adherence to a stated principle such as the categorical imperative. In games, they often function as puzzles or gates that reveal a path only after correct reasoning or ethical justification is demonstrated.

Cultural role: The motif is used to explore themes of reason, autonomy, and moral responsibility. Kantlichter serve as symbols of enlightenment and as narrative devices to prompt rational debate or moral reflection. They are likened to other light motifs in speculative fiction that emphasize scholarly or philosophical illumination.