Which statement describes determinism future states and events are always a direct result of prior states and events...or the basic substance from which everything comes cannot be determined?

Answer 1

There are two words which are variously attributed to your statement. 1)Causality: The theory that every single particle in existence somehow, given its current or past state, influences the future state of every other particle in a controlled and predictable manner. 2)Chaos: The theory that any given particle can affect a chain reaction that, however undetectable, can randomly influence the future state of another far distant particle. (Common reference is the "butterfly effect") And that if a single "frame" of time could be repeated on the particle, that no eventuality would ever be reproduced. Your second point is somewhat more complicated to explain and relates to Fractals. Fractals are exactly what they sound like: fractions of a whole, that when analysed closely are found to be perfect miniature representations of the whole. Try looking up "Bansai Mountains" or "Fractal Ferns". Hope this helps.