What type of reasoning involves drawing conclusions from given facts?

Deductive reasoning is the process of drawing conclusions based on general principles or premises that are known or assumed to be true. In this type of reasoning, if the premises are sound, the conclusion must necessarily follow. For example, if it is known that all humans are mortal (a general principle) and that Socrates is a human (a specific fact), one can deduce that Socrates is mortal.

This contrasts with other types of reasoning, such as inductive reasoning, which involves making generalizations based on specific observations. Abductive reasoning is about forming hypotheses to explain the data, and critical thinking encompasses a broader range of cognitive skills including analysis and evaluation of information. In this context, deductive reasoning is specifically defined by its method of reaching conclusions based on established facts or principles, making it the correct choice for the question asked.