What reasoning approach involves drawing a logical conclusion based on evidence?

Deductive reasoning is the approach that involves drawing a logical conclusion based on evidence. This method starts with general premises or known facts and applies them to specific situations to reach a certain conclusion. For instance, if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. An example of deductive reasoning would be: "All humans are mortal," and "Socrates is a human," which logically leads to the conclusion that "Socrates is mortal." This approach emphasizes the validity of the argument and relies significantly on the initial premises being accurate.

Inductive reasoning, while also a form of logical thinking, involves making generalizations based on specific observations or evidence, rather than applying general principles to specific cases. Critical thinking encompasses a broader spectrum of thought processes including analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information and is not solely focused on arriving at a conclusion from established premises. Conjectural reasoning often deals with hypotheses and assumptions instead of firmly established evidence, lacking the certainty provided by deductive reasoning. Thus, the emphasis on using established premises to logically determine a conclusion firmly positions deductive reasoning as the correct choice.