The Economist's Solution

A scientist, a physicist, and an economist were trapped on a desert island. They had one can of beans but no can opener.

The scientist said, "Let's assume that I smash the can with a rock, then we could split the beans evenly." The others said they would lose too much in the process. The physicist said, "Let's assume I put the can in the fire and wait 'til it pops open, and then we split the beans evenly." The others said it could explode and they'd lose the beans. So the economist said, "Assume we have a can opener..."