A considered, subjective, and thus an observable perception of 'thought', as a causality based upon current understanding—using novel vocabulary—and within the context of a highly dynamic, theoretical series of systems that are the fields of 'philosophy', 'science', and 'psychology' (in addition to—and with a specific emphasis upon—the more recent extension/'branch' of neuroscience, and it's related studies of neurochemistry, neurobiology, and experimental psychology, amongst others.)
I again emphasise, that this is a highly individual, subjective interpretation of a complex series of phenomena; of which contemporary science has only begun to examine (in so far as its progress within obtaining noticeable—and recently identifiable—correlates, and results pertaining).
The human 'condition' is such that to quell the potential fear of the unknown; it is to first observe, to experiment upon, and thus learn from such subjective experiences; and in order to communicate, and benefit from the learned information/knowledge resulting—in regards to the receipt of such 'successions' to the advantage of one's future self, or subsequent generations—one must posit that it is within the 'matter' of the brain that such a systematic approach originates, and from which the former is the latter modelled. That is to say, that inward 'thought' begets the provision of outward 'stimuli'; that through the latter are the 'elements' thus afforded (the 'components') and with the environment, and through the physiological/somatic are supplied the 'conditions'—facilitating such a process—and the little known 'self' as containing the volitional capacities to transfer such subject experiences, into considered actions (the pre-requisite, and assumption being that this is influenced by self-awareness, and a sense of consciousness).
With this considered, than perhaps...
Presumably...
'Thought' is the transference of energy; an energy derived from an input of simple chemical 'stimuli' received from both the external, and internal environment(s), and through a prescribed, directed process—one presumably derived from a pre-determined 'course', established thus via a malleable, neurobiological networking—is able to (so far as the volitional 'capabilities' of the individual would allow) progress towards a directed action; an action of which its results are identifiable to said 'individual' (conscience or otherwise) and using the aforementioned 'system(s)', the immediate—and later learned—responses; contribute to the brains faculties in so far as it is able to adjust, and form 'unique'/acquired neuronal 'connections' accordingly.
Are human beings the result of learned experiences? Is the 'conscience'—the self—a response to objective stimuli, as it is interpreted by the aforementioned exposure to, and subsequent learning of—such subjective experiences? Consider neuroplasticity when attempting/beginning to understand the nature—the 'system'—by which the physical matter, might influence the psychological conditions of the 'mind', that perhaps the system is not linear ('tiered', or constructed as with strata) though perhaps is instead a cyclical one; the origins of which remain unclear, and though understandably a human pursuit (to learn the beginnings, and the 'reasoning' behind such phenomena) is one that has yet much—within the way of progress—to be made.