The reasonable person asks for half the cake, the unreasonable person asks for the whole cake.
They compromise and split the difference - the unreasonable person gets three quarters of the cake and the reasonable person gets a quarter.
[I wish I knew the origins of this - I heard it years ago.]
They generally come to a mutually satisfactory conclusion, normally kindness (apparently inherent in human society) surfaces quickly.
Intelligence would perhaps suggest it's most efficient not be a dick in the long run.
I have my own, but I'm curious about what people believe is the moral of the story.
If you wish to get what you want, you have to use any means possible. And there is nothing wrong in it.
Actually if you look at it that is how most successful people get successful.
Think of your own good first, even if that's not very helpful to the other guy.
First: You don't get what you don't ask for. the other person might really only want a quarter of the cake, but by asking for more than your "fair share" you open the door to allowing them to give you what you want.
Second: By asking for the whole thing, you have placed yourself in a position of power and privilege. The mere act of asking for more implies that you think you deserve it. Someone mentioned posturing in another comment.
http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-o...
However most people don't ask for it. So only the ones who take the time to ask for it and write two sentences of why they should receive one get it.