The Bedrock of Fairness

Abstract

Three people, whom we'll call Xannon, Yancy and Zaire, are separately wandering through the forest; by chance, they happen upon a clearing, meeting each other. Introductions are performed. And then they discover, in the center of the clearing, a delicious blueberry pie. Xannon: "A pie! What good fortune! But which of us should get it?" Yancy: "Let us divide it fairly." Zaire: "I agree; let the pie be distributed fairly. Who could argue against fairness?" Xannon: "So we are agreed, then. But what is a fair division?" Yancy: "Eh? Three equal parts, of course!" Zaire: "Nonsense! A fair distribution is half for me, and a quarter apiece for the two of you."