August 2026 Edition
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August 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#261
In what year was the French philosopher and sociologist Auguste Comte born?
(a) 1789
(b) 1798
(c) 1759
(d) 1799
Explanation: Auguste Comte, the founder of positivism and the person who coined the term 'sociology', was born on January 19, 1798, in Montpellier, France. His intellectual contributions laid the groundwork for the scientific study of society.
#262
What are the three successive stages of societal development identified in Auguste Comte's 'Law of Three Stages'?
(a) Inequality, conflict and equality
(b) Theological, metaphysical and positive
(c) Positive, negative and neutral
(d) Feudal, Industrial and mechanical
Explanation: Auguste Comte proposed that human intellectual development progresses through three stages: the theological stage (relying on supernatural explanations), the metaphysical stage (relying on abstract philosophical concepts), and the positive stage (relying on scientific observation and empirical evidence).
#263
According to Auguste Comte, what are the three sequential stages through which human knowledge evolves?
(a) functionalist marxist interactionist
(b) philosophical biological sociological
(c) ignorance understanding truth
(d) theological metaphysical positive
Explanation: Auguste Comte's 'Law of Three Stages' posits that human intellectual development progresses from the theological stage (explaining phenomena through supernatural forces), to the metaphysical stage (using abstract philosophical concepts), and finally to the positive stage (relying on scientific observation and empirical evidence to understand the world).
#264
When Auguste Comte described sociology as a 'positive science,' what was his primary intention?
(a) that it should apply the same methods as physics or chemistry
(b) that it should progress by positing new concepts and theories
(c) that it should attempt to appeal to as many people as possible
(d) that it should show people in the best possible light
Explanation: Comte's positivism advocated for the use of the scientific method—observation, experimentation, and comparison—to study social life, just as natural scientists study the physical world. He believed that by applying these rigorous, empirical methods, sociology could uncover the 'laws' governing human society, leading to social order and progress. This marked a significant shift toward empirical sociology as a distinct academic discipline.
#265
In his 'Law of Three Stages,' what relationship did Auguste Comte emphasize?
(a) Intellectual evolution and Social progress
(b) Social structures and social statics
(c) Social laws and social change
(d) Social change and Social dynamics
Explanation: Comte's 'Law of Three Stages' (theological, metaphysical, and positive) posits that the evolution of human knowledge directly drives the evolution of social organization. He argued that as human thought progresses toward scientific understanding, society itself advances toward a more stable and rational state.
#266
In Auguste Comte's 'Law of Three Stages,' what is the second stage characterized by the belief that society is governed by natural forces?
(a) None of these
(b) Metaphysical
(c) Scientific
(d) Theological
Explanation: Auguste Comte proposed the 'Law of Three Stages' to explain the evolution of human thought and society. The first stage is the Theological stage, where events are explained by supernatural beings. The second stage is the Metaphysical stage, where abstract forces and natural principles replace supernatural ones. The final stage is the Positive or Scientific stage, where society relies on empirical observation and scientific laws to explain phenomena.
#267
What is the core meaning of Auguste Comte's concept of 'positivism'?
(a) An unempirical set of principles governing social advancement
(b) A theory that identifies problems and seeks solutions
(c) A theory highlighting society's positive aspects
(d) A rigorous scientific examination of observable facts
Explanation: Positivism, as proposed by Auguste Comte, is a philosophical system that asserts that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, derived from empirical observation and sensory experience. Comte believed that sociology should be modeled after the natural sciences, focusing on the discovery of invariant laws of social phenomena through rigorous, objective, and data-driven analysis of observable facts.
#268
How are the evolutionary theories proposed by Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim typically classified?
(a) unilinear theory
(b) cyclical theory
(c) multilinear theory
(d) conflict theory
Explanation: Comte and Durkheim often viewed social evolution as a progression through fixed stages, which is characteristic of unilinear evolutionary theory. This perspective suggests that all societies pass through the same sequence of development, moving from simple to complex structures as they advance toward modernity.
#269
How did Auguste Comte characterize the nature of sociology?
(a) General Science
(b) Historical method
(c) Positive science
(d) Comparative science
Explanation: Auguste Comte, who coined the term 'sociology,' viewed it as a 'positive science.' He believed that sociology should use the same scientific methods of observation, experimentation, and comparison used in the natural sciences to discover the laws governing human society.
#270
What term did Auguste Comte use to describe the scientific study of social patterns?
(a) Negativism
(b) Communism
(c) Socialism
(d) Positivism
Explanation: Auguste Comte, often considered the father of sociology, coined the term 'positivism' to describe his philosophical approach. He believed that society could be studied using the same scientific methods applied in the natural sciences to discover the laws governing social behavior and patterns, moving beyond theological or metaphysical explanations of the world.
#271
The theoretical frameworks proposed by Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are primarily categorized under which evolutionary perspective?
(a) unilinear theory
(b) conflict theory
(c) multilinear theory
(d) cyclical theory
Explanation: Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are associated with unilinear evolutionary theory. This perspective suggests that all societies progress through a single, fixed sequence of developmental stages. It assumes a universal trajectory of social evolution, where societies move from simpler, less integrated forms to more complex, highly differentiated structures, reflecting a linear progression of human civilization over time.
#272
Which philosophical framework of Auguste Comte did Karl Marx explicitly reject?
(a) Positivism
(b) Socialism
(c) Communism
(d) Negativism
Explanation: Karl Marx was critical of Auguste Comte's positivism, which sought to apply the methods of the natural sciences to the study of society to achieve order and progress. Marx favored a dialectical materialist approach, arguing that social change is driven by class conflict and economic contradictions rather than the linear, scientific evolution proposed by Comte.
#273
When Auguste Comte described sociology as a 'positive science,' what was his primary intention?
(a) that it should attempt to appeal to as many people as possible
(b) that it should show people in the best possible light
(c) that it should apply the same methods as physics or chemistry
(d) that it should progress by positing new concepts and theories
Explanation: Comte's vision of sociology as a 'positive science' was rooted in the belief that social phenomena could be studied with the same empirical rigor as the natural sciences. He argued that by applying the scientific method—observation, experimentation, and comparison—sociologists could discover the invariant laws of social organization and change. This approach aimed to move sociology away from speculative philosophy toward a discipline based on verifiable, objective data.
#274
Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected as the chair of which United States federal body in 2026?
(a) United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(b) United States Commission on Civil Rights
(c) United States Commission on Human Rights
(d) None of these
Explanation: Dr. Asif Mahmood was elected chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the 2026-27 term. The other options represent different federal commissions that do not focus specifically on the international religious freedom mandate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#275
Who was elected as the vice chair of the USCIRF alongside Dr. Asif Mahmood for the 2026-27 term?
(a) CeCe Heil
(b) Hakeem Jeffries
(c) Kamala Harris
(d) None of these
Explanation: The USCIRF announced the unanimous election of Dr. Asif Mahmood as chair and CeCe Heil as vice chair for the 2026-27 term. The other individuals mentioned are political figures not serving in this specific commission role. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#276
Consider the following statements about Dr. Asif Mahmood: 1. He has served as a member of the Medical Board of California. 2. He was elected chair of the USCIRF for the 2026-27 term. 3. He has lived in California since 1999. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually correct. Dr. Mahmood is a two-term member of the Medical Board of California, was elected chair of the USCIRF in 2026, and has resided in California since 1999. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017231/pakistan-origin-physician-asif-mahmood-elected-chair-of-us-commission-on-religious-freedom, 21 Jul 2026]
#277
Saadia Zahidi was appointed as the Director General of which international organization on July 24, 2026?
(a) World Economic Forum
(b) International Air Transport Association
(c) International Civil Aviation Organization
(d) World Trade Organization
Explanation: Saadia Zahidi was appointed to lead the International Air Transport Association (IATA). While she previously worked at the World Economic Forum, that is not the organization she was appointed to lead as Director General. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017986/pakistan-origin-saadia-zahidi-to-lead-international-air-transport-association, 24 Jul 2026]
#278
The United Business Group (UBG) issued a statement regarding the cabinet induction of Anas Sarwar on which date in 2026?
(a) July 25, 2026
(b) July 28, 2026
(c) July 27, 2026
(d) July 26, 2026
Explanation: The report regarding the UBG's statement was published on July 26, 2026. This date aligns with the official record of the event. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431853/ubg-welcomes-induction-of-sarwar-into-uk-govt, 25 Jul 2026]
#279
Prof. Gul Rahim Khan, who received the Ashoka Prize in 2026, is a faculty member at which institution?
(a) University of the Punjab
(b) University of Peshawar
(c) Quaid-i-Azam University
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prof. Gul Rahim Khan is a senior professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Peshawar. He was recognized for his research on the numismatics of the Utpala Dynasty. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018423/peshawar-university-teacher-honoured-with-ashoka-award-in-london, 26 Jul 2026]
#280
Which international organization conferred the Ashoka Prize upon Prof. Gul Rahim Khan in 2026?
(a) Oriental Numismatic Society
(b) International Archaeological Association
(c) Royal Numismatic Society
(d) World Heritage Foundation
Explanation: The Oriental Numismatic Society (ONS) awarded the prize for the best paper published in their journal (JONS). The Royal Numismatic Society is a separate entity often confused with the ONS. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018423/peshawar-university-teacher-honoured-with-ashoka-award-in-london, 26 Jul 2026]