What type of reasoning involves starting with general principles to arrive at specific conclusions?

Deductive reasoning is a logical process where one starts with general principles or premises and uses them to arrive at specific conclusions. This type of reasoning follows a structured format, where if the initial premises are true, the conclusions drawn from them must also be true. For example, if the general principle states that "all humans are mortal" and a specific case states that "Socrates is a human," one can deduce that "Socrates is mortal."

This form of reasoning is foundational in logic and mathematics, where a broad theory is applied to individual instances. It contrasts with other types of reasoning; for instance, inductive reasoning starts with specific observations and builds up to broader generalizations, whereas abductive reasoning seeks the best explanation for a set of observations. Analogical reasoning involves drawing parallels between similar situations to arrive at conclusions. Thus, deductive reasoning is vital in structured arguments and proofs, making it a cornerstone of logical thought processes.