Which logical reasoning type requires drawing conclusions based on premises?

Deductive reasoning is a type of logical reasoning that involves drawing specific conclusions from general premises or statements. In this process, if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true, making this form of reasoning very rigorous and precise. It typically follows a structured format where rules and generalizations lead to a particular case. For instance, if all humans are mortal (premise 1) and Socrates is a human (premise 2), we can conclude that Socrates is mortal (conclusion).

This systematic approach is foundational in logic and mathematics, where clear premises lead to irrefutable outcomes. In contrast, other types of reasoning, such as inductive reasoning, involve drawing generalized conclusions from specific observations, while abductive reasoning focuses on finding the most likely explanation for an observed phenomenon, and critical reasoning involves evaluating arguments and reasoning for their validity without necessarily drawing conclusions from premises in a formal way. Each of these approaches serves distinct purposes but differ significantly from the deductive method in how conclusions are reached.