Deep Waters in Brain

[Xoqom]

An elementary question:

Can we say that the deeper we dig into the brain the more
primitive but more fundamental functions we encounter,
i.e. "higher" functions (emotions, self-reflection, etc.) tend
to be located in the surface layers (cerebral cortex?) and
"lower" but vital functions are buried deeper within?
Can we make such a general statement about the brain
architecture?

Xoqom