Truth is Not Enough

There is a quiz game show on TV that we all know, that is seemingly the most difficult, because almost anything can be asked ‘randomly’. This game is ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionnaire?’, which tests general knowledge. Now, some of the ‘remainder’ unasked questions are used in another quiz game show instead, that is seemingly the easiest, yet paradoxically more difficult that the first game for most. This game is ‘The Moment of Truth’, which asks personal questions instead,  in a somewhat Truth or Dare way. Because all you are expected to answer is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, to questions whose answers you definitely know, it’s called ‘the simplest game on Earth’. The truthfulness is determined by a lie-detector test and honesty is all you need to win.

This seems like a game that tests one’s integrity in observation of the Fourth Precept that guards against lying – though aspects of Right Speech include speaking in a kindly, wise and timely manner too, while some contestants’ relations get hurt live due to ‘brutal’ honesty. Another problem is that many issues in question warrant elaborations beyond black or white yes or no answers! If not, there is bound to be misunderstanding from miscommunication. This the Buddha clearly taught in the excerpt below. The moment of truth should also be a moment of compassion and wisdom! If not, it’s the wrong moment for truth. In this sense, there are many wrong moments in the game – because the answering of many questions are motivated by greed to win big prize money.

From the Pañha Sutta: ‘There are these four ways of answering questions. Which four? There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that]. There are questions that should be answered with an analytical (qualified) answer [defining or redefining the terms]. There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question. There are questions that should be put aside. These are the four ways of answering questions… Any monk who knows which is which, in line with the Dhamma, is said to be skilled in the four types of questions: hard to overcome, hard to beat, profound, hard to defeat. He knows what’s worthwhile & what’s not, proficient in (recognizing) both, he rejects the worthless, grasps the worthwhile. He’s called one who has broken through to what’s worthwhile, prudent, wise.’

More from Wikipedia on how the game works: ‘Prior to the show, a contestant is hooked up to a polygraph (lie-detector) and asked more than 50 questions; there is no polygraph testing conducted during the actual show. Without knowing the results of the polygraph, he or she is asked 21 of those same questions again on the program, each becoming progressively more personal [and thus embarassing] in nature. If the contestant answers honestly, according to the polygraph results, he or she moves on to the next question; however, should a contestant lie in his or her answer (as determined by the polygraph) or simply refuse to answer a question after it has been asked, the game ends.

If he/she gives a false answer before the $10,000 level of questions, he/she leaves with nothing; after the $25,000 level, if a false answer is given, the contestant leaves with $25,000 (during the first season, a false answer on any level caused the player to leave with nothing). For each tier of questions answered correctly, the contestant wins the corresponding amount of money. A contestant may stop at any time before any question is asked and collect their earnings, but once they hear a question, they must answer it or lose the game. Answering all 21 questions truthfully, as determined by the polygraph results, wins the jackpot of $500,000. To date, no contestant has reached the final tier.’