Which type of reasoning involves drawing specific conclusions from general premises?

Deductive reasoning is the process that involves starting with general premises or truths and using them to derive specific conclusions. This form of reasoning is characterized by a logical progression where if the initial premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true. For example, if it is established that all humans are mortal (a general premise) and Socrates is a human, one can deduce that Socrates is mortal (a specific conclusion). This process is foundational in logical reasoning, mathematics, and formal arguments, where certainty is built upon established principles.

In contrast, inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations, while abductive reasoning seeks the best explanation from incomplete observations. Analogical reasoning draws conclusions based on the similarities between two different situations, but it does not follow the structured logical format of deducing conclusions from general principles.