The answer to this question hinges on WHAT LEVEL of abstraction is under inquiry.
Do we know how self-consciousness works? No … not even close!!
But do we know that the brain continuously seeks to:
- Conserve energy
- Preserve homeostasis
- Bolster identity
- Reduce (unfamiliar) stress
- Repress information that fly’s counter to the above agendas
Yes — we understand these meta-processes quite well. At least from a psychological perspective … much less so from a neuro bio-electrical or bio-chemical perspective.
Dewey Gaedcke’s answer to What are the benefits of seeking therapy?