What does deductive reasoning primarily rely on?

Deductive reasoning primarily relies on general principles to formulate specific conclusions. This reasoning process starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. For instance, if one accepts a general principle, such as "All humans are mortal," and is provided with a specific case, like "Socrates is a human," deductive reasoning will conclusively lead to the specific conclusion that "Socrates is mortal."

This method is structured and relies on a logical progression from the broader rules or principles to specific instances. It differs from other forms of reasoning that might take some cases or specific examples to draw broader generalizations, such as inductive reasoning. Thus, within the context of deductive reasoning, having a solid general premise is essential, allowing one to draw direct conclusions that must logically follow if the premises are true.