What if we apply the Individuality Principle to the dilemma of voluntary slavery? The slave
surrenders his individuality in that he relinquishes his ability to judge and act for himself, and thus
subjects his individual development to the will of his master. But if individuality is the value is taken
into account in the utilitarian calculus, the same problem does not arise as with a hedonistic calculus,
in which the disutility to the individual caused by his losing his freedom is outweighed by the utility
produced for others who learn from his error. The determination by society regarding whether
slavery brings happiness to the voluntary slave requires the observation of actual slavery by society.
By contrast, that slavery violates individuality (understood as the combination of autonomy and
uniqueness) can be known a priori, because slavery by its very nature involves the exercise of
complete sovereignty by one individual over the actions of another, and thus the violation of
autonomy, and by association, individuality. Hence, social learning from the voluntary slave’s folly
provides no utilitarian benefit in terms of individuality.