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Yeah, but we are made of The Universe, and yet The Universe is and we can't say why. So I don't get where Dennet's argument goes.

I don't think he does either.

Dennet is concerned with the origin of minds on Earth and how this is explicable within our current evolutionary framework.

He does not seek to explain the origins of the universe but argues that this is not necessary to understand how minds could come about.

> yet The Universe is and we can't say why

is there a 'why'? some people say it was 'created', but then the creator 'is and we can't say why'.

"Perhaps the best way of seeing the reality, indeed the ubiquity in Nature, of reasons is to reflect on the different meanings of “why.”

The English word is equivocal, and the main ambiguity is marked by a familiar pair of substitute phrases: what for? and how come?”

“Why are you handing me your camera?” asks what are you doing this for?

“Why does ice float?” asks how come: what it is about the way ice forms that makes it lower density than liquid water?"

P48, From Bacteria to Bach, The Evolution of Minds by Dan Dennet