I think that the ultimate goal of humanity should be to populate the universe with self-replicating machines that transform as much of its matter as possible into minds feeling maximum happiness. I see this as the logical conclusion of the utilitarian maxim of “the greatest good for the greatest number of people,” as not only can the good for existing minds be maximized, but also the number of minds themselves. I know that utilitarianism is something of an unpopular philosophy in some places, because of how it puts feeling above the experiences that create those feelings, but I think it really is logical once you think about it. If a mountain climber lost the ability to feel the sense of accomplishment or excitement they got from a mountain climb, it’s doubtful that they would still have any motivation to climb mountains. The converse, the idea of feelings simulated without the experience that usually generates them, such as by some sort of machine, is usually seen as disturbing, but this is an aesthetic apprehension itself based on the feeling this thought generates in us, rather than a true logical analysis. Positive feeling is really the only universal good that can be determined in the world, because it is the metric by which all other goods are measured. Even the desire to incur pain or sacrifice towards some greater good is likely mediated by the positive feeling of a sense of martyrdom, contribution, or accomplishment. So, if this is the ultimate good, its maximization seems imperative.