What reasoning method involves stating a general principle and then applying it to a specific case?

The reasoning method that involves stating a general principle and then applying it to a specific case is deductive reasoning. This approach starts with a general statement or hypothesis and uses that foundation to reach a specific conclusion. For example, if we know a general principle like "All humans are mortal," we can deduce that "Socrates is a human" leads us to conclude that "Socrates is mortal."

Inductive reasoning, in contrast, involves starting with specific observations or cases and forming a generalization based on those examples, rather than deducing from a general principle. Delineative reasoning is not a standard term associated with logical reasoning methods in this context, and analogical reasoning draws parallels between different cases rather than applying a general principle.