Submitted by blindsight t3_109adid in Jokes
The priest reads them their last rites, then the king orders the executioner to kill the physicist.
The executioner offers the physicist two choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The physicist replies, "I spent my whole life studying the heavens. I would like to face the sky, with the hood on like night!"
The executioner positions the physicist and drops the blade...
... and it stops inches from the physicists' neck.
The priest cries, "It's a sign from God! This man is innocent! Set him free!", so the king pardons him, and orders the mathematician executed next.
The executioner offers the mathematician the same choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The mathematician replies, "They all result in an equivalent state, but hood off face down is the most elegant solution!"
The executioner positions the mathematician and drops the blade...
... and it stops inches from the mathematician's neck.
The priest cries, "It's a sign from God! This man is innocent! Set him free!", so the king pardons him, and orders the engineer executed next.
The executioner offers the engineer the same choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The engineer replies, "I have always loved machines, and there is no more elegant a killing machine than the guillotine. I will spend my final moments marveling in its beauty!"
The executioner positions the engineer and, as he's about to drop the blade, the engineer shouts:
"I see the problem!"