What is the method of reasoning that applies general premises to reach a specific conclusion?

The method of reasoning that applies general premises to reach a specific conclusion is deductive reasoning. In deductive reasoning, the conclusion logically follows from the given premises. If the general premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true. For example, if one premise states that all humans are mortal and another premise states that Socrates is a human, then it can be deduced that Socrates is mortal. This showcases how deductive reasoning moves from a generalization to a specific instance.

Inductive reasoning, in contrast, involves taking specific observations or instances and generalizing them to form broader conclusions, which does not align with the method described in the question. Hasty generalizations refer to making a conclusion based on insufficient evidence and do not follow the logical structure of deductive reasoning. An illustrative essay is a form of writing that uses examples to clarify or illustrate a concept, which is unrelated to the method of reasoning in question.