If we assume there is no 'little man' inside our heads. Or any magical, spiritual components that somehow tell us what to think. Or that organize the information in our minds such that we can think. Then there must be some 'dumb' process that somehow does this for us.

An automatic organizing principle upon which consciousness is based. There has to be a natural, non magical reason, why neurons tend to connect the sensory information we receive into patterns necessary for thought.

My suspicion is that as the 2d sensory patterns cascade into memory through time, any pattern sequences within these layers, (representing aspects of our space time environment), which can be predicted from prior memory patterns, will have their supporting neuron connections rewarded. And this dumb process will tend, over time, to build prediction patterns ultimately describing robust beliefs in 3d form and behavior. Which are the foudational components necessary for higher thought. That come before langauge labeling and narrative.

Emotion can attach itself to these patterns too, enabling intelligence and wisdom. Intelligence is linking cause to effect. Wisdom is more linking emotion to effect.