What type of reasoning involves drawing conclusions from general principles?

Deductive reasoning is a logical process where conclusions are drawn from specific premises or general principles. This method starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. For example, if you have a general principle that all humans are mortal, and you know that Socrates is a human, you can deduce that Socrates is mortal. This structured approach is foundational in public speaking and argumentation, as it allows speakers to build a strong, coherent case based on established truths or widely accepted principles.

The other types of reasoning, such as inductive reasoning, involve forming general conclusions based on specific observations; causal reasoning focuses on establishing a cause-and-effect relationship; and analogical reasoning draws comparisons between similar situations to infer conclusions. Each of these has its specific application and structure, but they do not center on deriving conclusions from broader principles in the way deductive reasoning does.