Which concept suggests that past events will recur in the future?

The concept that suggests past events will recur in the future is cyclicality, which is encapsulated in the idea of regeneration or cyclicality itself. This belief is prevalent in several cultural and philosophical frameworks, where historical patterns, natural cycles, and human behaviors are viewed as repeating phenomena. For instance, many indigenous cultures and philosophical systems recognize cyclical time rather than linear, suggesting that seasons, life events, and even larger historical occurrences are destined to repeat.

Cyclicality reflects the observation that events or phases within nature, such as seasons, life cycles, and agricultural practices, often follow a pattern that implies a return to previous states. This concept can be associated with various theories in anthropology, history, and ecology, where it informs the understanding of societal change and environmental management.

The other concepts, such as epigraphy, reciprocity, and absolute dating, do not encapsulate this idea of recurrence in the same way. Epigraphy pertains to the study of inscriptions, reciprocity relates to mutual exchanges in social relationships, and absolute dating is a scientific method of determining the age of an object or event. None of these options convey the idea of history or events repeating themselves, making regeneration or cyclicality the most appropriate answer.