Some people think that things can begin to exist without a cause because they think that the study of sub-atomic particles (quantum mechanics) reveals that events are not determined by a prior state (if a is “determined” by b, then necessarily, if b exists, then a exists or will exist). The idea is that any given physical state only makes certain states probable: they don’t necessitate or determine any particular future state.

However, even if an event isn’t determined by a prior state, it may still be true that any given event is preceded by some prior state. The idea is that nothing could begin to exist if absolutely nothing preceded it.

If I were to redefine cause so that it merely means “preceded by a prior state”, then

If something (other than a spontaneous action) begins to exist, must it have a “cause”?

No I don’t know Yes